Human aspiration, interest, and activity have expressed themselves in four basic directions-the fields of phylosophy, science, art and religion. Since each of these fields is considered later in this study, we shall merely distinguish between them at this time.
Philosophy, as we have seen, is an attempt to understand the world, its meaning, and its values. Its field is broad and inclusive. It attempts to answer questions about the kind of universe in which we live and what the ends of life may reasonably be. Phylosophy, while using the facts and descriptive material presented by specialized fields of study, goes beyond description to inquire into the nature and the values and the ideal possibilities of things. Its goals are understanding and wisdom.
Philosophy and science have much in common. Both grow out of the reflective, inquiring attitude and are prompted by an impartial love of truth. The sciences, however, deal with special or restricted fields. Their purpose is to describe the world so that it may be interpreted in exact or mathematical terms, and then to control it mechanically, where possible. Science has as its goals description, prediction, experimentation and control.
An important part of man`s life has to do with enjoyment of drama, poetry, painting, and architecture. The field of aesthetics and the philosophy of art deal with the problems of the nature of beauty and the arts. In order to live a full life, man needs to cultivate his appreciations in this area of human experience. The goals of art are not knowledge and understanding, as in phylosophy, nor description and control, as in science, but creativity, perfection, form, beauty, communication, and expression, and above all the aesthetic response.
A phylosophy is not a religion, but any mature religion will have or will imply some philosophical background or some set of beliefs about life and the universe. Religion, it has been said, begins at the point where phylosophy moves into personal commitment and action. A religion is more than a mere belief or an understanding of something,; it implies the reaction of a man`s whole being to that on which ge feels dependent. It is life lived in the conviction that “what is highest in spirit is deepest in nature”.
Religion implies devotion and an object of worship. In religion, worship rather than knowledge is cebtral. The person wishes to secure harmony or adjustment between himself and his world. A study of philosophy should help men build their religious convictions on foundations which are intellectually mature. Philosophy may support one`s religious beliefs, provided such beliefs are not dependent on prescientific, outworn, narrow, and dogmatic conceptions. The main concerns of religion are harmony, adjustment, commitment, worship, peace, righteousness, salvation and God.
Reference :
Harold H Titus, Living Issues In Philosophy, An Introductory Textbook, American Book Company, New York.
