Relationship between Faith and Reason

Abstract

Philosophy of religion in today's world is one of the most active subjects of Philosophy. Philosophy of religion deals with questions regarding God and his existence. The major part studied in this paper is relationship between faith and reason. Faith and reason comes under the subject of philosophy of religion. Relationship of faith and reason is very crucial. In order to understand the relationship of faith and reason one must clear the concepts regarding faith and reason. In this paper it is studied that faith and reason individually are of no use in religious matter. Faith and reason both are required to understand religious matters.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

Philosophy of Religion in Today's World4

Discussion5

Religion and Emotion5

The Concept of God6

Omniscience7

Eternity7

God and His Goodness7

Faith8

Faith; the View of Scripture8

Faith; View of Theology9

Faith as Act9

Faith as Content 10

Logical Reasoning10

Types of Fideism10

Relationship between Faith and Reason11

Fideism11

Rationalism12

Faith and Reason12

An Experiment13

1. “As if “13

2. The Probability14

3. Leap of Faith15

References17



Relationship between Faith and Reason

Thesis Statement

The positive relationship between faith and reason helps in better understanding of the religion.

Introduction

Philosophy of religion is the examination of themes and concepts regarding religious traditions philosophically. The main areas of philosophy of religion include metaphysics, sociology, values, philosophy of language and science and many more. In philosophy of religion, investigation on religion and on its importance is done. Importance of historical events is also considered like; holocaust, features of cosmos which includes law of nature, conscious life and religious significance (Taliaferro, 2011)

In the early philosophy exploration of religious believers and practices were explored in east and west. In west throughout the era of Greco-roman philosophy, philosophical reflection of god, reason and faith, life after death were not considered to be the part of sub- discipline, “philosophy of religion”. First time the use of term “philosophy of religion” occurred in English in the 17th century in the work of Ralph Cudworth. Ralph Cudworth and Henry More produced a philosophical work which main focus was religion. Philosophy of religion as the field was started in the mid of 17th century according to Taliaferro (2005). In the work of Cudworth the main subject matter was the arguments regarding existence of God, importance of religious pluralism, nature of good and evil, and many more. Many terms which are used today had their origin in Cudworth's work. The term are; theism, consciousness and materialism (Taliaferro 2011).

Philosophy of Religion in Today's World

In today's world philosophy of religion is considered to be the most active area of philosophy. The significance of philosophy of religion is because of its subject matter. The subject matter of philosophy of religion includes beliefs regarding God, variety of religions, science and religion, nature of good and evil, concept of birth and death (Taliaferro 2005).

While exploring philosophy of religion fundamental questions occur. The fundamental questions regarding place in cosmos, relationship with cosmos. This philosophical work requires investigation about nature and its limits (Taliaferro 2005).

Philosophy of religion has three factors which contribute in the overall enterprise of ...