Religion and The One Philosophies East and West

by Copleston, Frederick

• ISBN13: 9780826465726
• ISBN10: 0826465722
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-01-01
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

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.

Table of Contents

Author's Preface	1	(2)
Chapter 1 Introduction	3	(12)
Chapter 2 The Metaphysics of the One and the Many	15	(25)
Chapter 3 The One in Taoism and Buddhism	40	(28)
Chapter 4 The Advaita Vedãnta and Its Critics	68	(28)
Chapter 5 Islam and Mysticism	96	(26)
Chapter 6 Western Philosophy and the One	122	(26)
Chapter 7 The World and the One	148	(24)
Chapter 8 The Self and the One	172	(24)
Chapter 9 Mysticism and Knowledge	196	(26)
Chapter 10 Ethics, Metaphysics and Social Ideals	222	(19)
Chapter 11 The Succession of Systems and Truth	241	(33)
Index	274