Topics in the Philosophy of Religion
Understanding Religion in Modern Culture
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One of the more entertaining aspects of the philosophy of religion is to examine how religion influences modern culture and how culture in turn influences religion. Religion in film, religion in books, economic analyses of religion - these are all a part of religious philosophy.
The Matrix, Religion, and Philosophy
The Matrix, a wildly popular film that has been followed by an equally popular sequel, is
often regarded (well, except for some critics) as a very "deep" film, tackling difficult
subjects not commonly the focus of Hollywood's efforts. Is it, however, also a religious
film - a film embodying religious subjects and transcendental values?
Highlights:
• Matrix as a Christian Film
• Matrix as a Gnostic Film
• Matrix as a Buddhist Film
Technology and Religion, Technology as Religion
Common thinking among secularists and nonbelievers of various sorts tends to be that
religion and science are fundamentally incompatible. This incompatibility is also
imagined to extend to the relationship between religion and technology, since
technology is so often a product of science and science cannot proceed without
technology, especially today. But it can be argued that promoting technology is often
caused by religious impulses.
Highlights:
• Medieval Science & Medieval Religion
• Enlightenment Science & Religion
• Modern Science & Modern Religion
• Technology as Religion
Karl Marx & Religion
How do we account for religion - its origin, its development, and even its persistence
in modern society? This is a question which has occupied many people in a variety of
fields for quite a long time. At one point, the answers were framed in purely
theological and religious terms, assuming the truth of Christian revelations and
proceeding from there. One person who attempted to examine religion from an objective,
scientific perspective was Karl Marx.
Highlights:
• Marx's Analysis of Religion
• Religion as Opium of the People
• Problems in Marx's Analysis of Religion
Sigmund Freud, Psychoanalysis, and Religious Obsession
Sigmund Freud is a seminal figure in the history of human thought. Humanity has suffered from
three principle types of narcissism: the belief that we are the center of the universe, the
belief that we are the center/goal of nature and the belief that we are always "master of our
own house." Copernicus , Darwin and Freud, respectively, were certainly not the first people to
dispel those notions, but their names will be forever linked with the progress away from
narcissism and towards knowledge
Highlights:
• Freud, Atheism, and Judaism
• Obsessions, Illusions and Delusions
• Responses to and Critiques of Freud
Why Does Religion Exist?
An exploration of some primary theories about the existence of religion, covering
Tylor, Fazer, Freud, Marx, Durkheim, and Eliade.
Glossary: Religion & Philosophy
This extensive glossary provides detailed information on philosophical and religious concepts, from
abandonment to
Zeno of Elea!
(over 2400 entries total)
