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Philosophy & Religion

Humans have long pondered not only how we came to be but also why we came to be. The earliest Greek philosophers focused their attention upon the origin and nature of the physical world; later philosophers have theorized about the nature of knowledge, truth, good and evil, love, friendship, and much more. Philosophy involves a methodical assessment of any and all aspects of human existence and experience. The realms of philosophy and religion have sometimes intersected in conducting such inquiries as these. As with philosophy, the study of religion underscores how humankind has long speculated about its origins. The possibility of a higher being (or beings) to which livings things owe their existence has long captived human thought. Many religions also offer their own views on the nature of good and evil, and they may prescribe guidelines and judgment on different kinds of human behavior.
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Featured content, June 10, 2022

Agnes with a lamb near her feet. St. Agnes (Saint Agnes) design drawing for stained glass window by J&R Lamb Studios, ink, mount size 10.5 x 14.5 in.
Roman Catholic Saints
“All you holy men and women pray for us.”
Companion / Philosophy & Religion
Mechelen - Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian pain in cathedra
Murder Most Horrid: The Grisliest Deaths of Roman Catholic Saints
Methods of martyrdom you may not have heard of.
List / Philosophy & Religion
Red eggs, which symbolize happiness and the renewal of life. Commonly consumed at Easter in the Orthodox Christian faith, symbolizing Christ's blood.
What Do Eggs Have to Do with Easter?
Easter or not, bunnies don’t lay eggs
Demystified / Philosophy & Religion
Sites associated with ancient Mesopotamian history
Mesopotamian religion
Mesopotamian religion, beliefs and practices of the Sumerians and Akkadians, and their successors, the Babylonians and Assyrians,...
Encyclopedia / Philosophy & Religion

Philosophy & Religion Quizzes

Christmas tree, holiday, pine
How To Celebrate Christmas Quiz
Okay, so you know how you celebrate Christmas. But what about everyone else? Take this quiz and find out how Christmas...
Quiz / Philosophy & Religion
Hypatia. Hypatia (b. c355-415) Egyptian Neoplatonist philosopher who was the first notable woman in mathematics. She was murdered by followers of Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria.
Odd Facts About Philosophers
Who says philosophers don’t lead interesting lives? Test your knowledge of a few things you probably didn’t learn in Philosophy...
Quiz / Philosophy & Religion
Pages of the Qur'an also spelled Quran and Koran the sacred scripture of Islam. Muslim holy book Arabic religion
The Qurʾān
How much do you know about Islam’s holy book?
Quiz / Philosophy & Religion
Anastasius II (died 498) pope from 496 after a 16th century illustration
Pope Quiz
Think you know everything about the office of the Supreme Pontiff? Test your knowledge with this quiz.
Quiz / Philosophy & Religion
Agathon (centre) greeting guests in Plato's Symposium, oil on canvas by Anselm Feuerbach, 1869; in the Staatliche Kunsthalle, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Philosophy 101
What is existentialism? Who was Socrates? What is idealism? Test your knowledge of these topics and more with this Philosophy...
Quiz / Philosophy & Religion
Stained glass of Joan of Arc in St. Mary of the Angels, Wellington, New Zealand. Roman Catholic church. (Saint Joan of Arc, St. Joan of Arc)
Christian Saints Quiz
Saints are part of many religious traditions. This quiz focuses on saints within Christianity. Find out how much you know.
Quiz / Philosophy & Religion
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Kolkata), India. Roman Catholic nun, at the World Conference of the International Women's Year in Mexico City in 1975
History of Roman Catholicism Quiz
The Roman Catholic Church has a history that stretches over millennia. This quiz will take you considerably less time.
Quiz / Philosophy & Religion
Holy week. Easter. Valladolid. Procession of Nazarenos carry a cross during the Semana Santa (Holy week before Easter) in Valladolid, Spain. Good Friday
History of Christianity Quiz
Who is the patron saint of Scotland? Which movement in Christianity sought to establish clerical celibacy? Test what you...
Quiz / Philosophy & Religion
People lighting traditional earthen lamps during the Hindu festival Diwali in India. flame
All About Diwali Quiz
Billions of people worldwide celebrate Diwali, a multi-day festival that marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and much...
Quiz / Philosophy & Religion
Ufo, alien, space over trees.
Don’t Drink the Punch Quiz
And by punch, we mean any fruit drink with nefarious intentions. Test your knowledge of all the doomsday prophets and cult...
Quiz / Philosophy & Religion
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Philosophy & Religion
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Philosophy & Religion Subcategories

Romulus and Remus suckling their wolf foster mother Ancient Religions & Mythology
What did our ancestors believe in? What myths and stories did they use to explain the world around them and find meaning in it? How have their beliefs influenced modern religion and spirituality? Explore these questions and more while discovering notable traditions, figures, and legends that figured prominently in ancient religion and mythology.
Articles
subcategory placeholder Ethical Issues
What moral precepts guide us through tricky situations that may arise in relation to friendships, family, communities, and the work environment? Right and wrong are not always defined in the same way across different cultures.
Articles
Roger Bacon Humanities
The humanities are those branches of knowledge that concern themselves with human beings and their culture. The humanities include the study of all languages and literatures, the arts, history, and philosophy.
Articles
Voltaire Philosophers
Here you'll find the thinkers and theorists who have expressed their own ideas about such topics as the nature of humankind's relationship with the metaphysical world, the definitions of truth and knowledge, and the conditions of existence. From ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle to later notable philosophers such as René Descartes and Immanuel Kant, philosophy's great thinkers have approached sensitive ethical and existential issues from a variety of different angles. Their ideas have influenced the way we look at our world and the way we relate to one another as human beings.
Articles
Cicero Philosophical Issues
Are you ready to delve into the myriad possible answers to such complex questions as What makes an action virtuous? or What is the nature of consciousness? Do you embrace weighty topics such as the relative merits of empiricism and rationalism? An inquisitive spirit is all but a prerequisite for many of the topics listed here, which deal with the different approaches to and ideas about the big questions of life.
Articles
Abu Darweesh Mosque Religious Beliefs
Our religious beliefs can affect our lifestyle, our perceptions, and our way of relating to fellow human beings. Is there a higher power (or powers) that governs the universe and judges all of us? Does committing a mortal sin mean the death of a soul, or is there a chance for forgiveness? The answers to such questions differ widely across different religions.
Articles
Martin Luther Religious Personages & Scholars
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
St. Bernadette of Lourdes Religious Places
Human beings tend to relate to their religious beliefs through symbolism. Religious and sacred places—common destinations for pilgrims—represent a physical connection that helps believers express their devotion.
Articles
Mahalia Jackson Sacred Art & Music
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
Chapter 49 of the Isaiah Scroll Scriptures
Sacred scriptures of all religions, viewed as the word of God or inspired by God, have influenced the moral and ethical standards of countries, peoples, and religious groups. Their interpretation has long been a subject of discussion and, at times, controversy.
Articles
Charles Sprague Pearce: Religion Spirituality
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles