Religion and The One: Philosophies East and West

by Frederick Copleston

Overview

Theories of one ultimate reality exist in philosophies of both the East and the West, and in both traditions such theories are commonly connected with religion. In Religion and the One, Frederick Copleston explores the approach that different philosophies have taken to the question of divine reality, with a special focus on the metaphysics of the One.In the first part of the book, Copleston looks at the features of different traditions, discussing Taoist philosophy, the Vedanta schools of thought in India, the development of philosophy in the Islamic world, and a number of movements from the Western tradition. The second part questions why people form such theories, exploring factors such as the nature of the self and the cognitive value of mysticism.Writing with all his hallmark learning and lucidity, the author also discusses the consequences of the metaphysics of the One for ethical ideals and social activism. Approaching the issues in an open-minded and unprejudiced fashion, he does not pretend to have answers to all the questions he raises. However, unlike many theologians and philosophers, he is not prepared to dismiss metaphysics as being inherently irreligious.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826465726
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/01/2003
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Frederick Copleston was born in Somerset in 1907. After studying at Oxford, he held a number of academic posts, including Professor of the History of Philosophy and Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at London University. He died in 1994.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction2. The Metaphysics of the One and the Many3. The One in Taoism and Buddhism4. Avaita Vedanta and Its Critics5. Islam and Mysticism6. Western Philosophy and the One7. The World and the One8. The Self and the One9. Mysticism and Knowledge10. Ethics, Metaphysics and Social Ideals11. The Succession of Systems and Truth