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3 ideas
22729 | The concepts of gods arose from observing the soul, and the cosmos [Aristotle, by Sext.Empiricus] |
Full Idea: Aristotle said that the conception of gods arose among mankind from two originating causes, namely from events which concern the soul and from celestial phenomena. | |
From: report of Aristotle (works [c.330 BCE], Frag 10) by Sextus Empiricus - Against the Physicists (two books) I.20 | |
A reaction: The cosmos suggests order, and possible creation. What do events of the soul suggest? It doesn't seem to be its non-physical nature, because Aristotle is more of a functionalist. Puzzling. (It says later that gods are like the soul). |
22782 | To have pagan beliefs and be a pagan are quite different [Hegel] |
Full Idea: To believe in pagan religion and to be a pagan are two different things. | |
From: Georg W.F.Hegel (Elements of the Philosophy of Right [1821], 147) | |
A reaction: A nice general truth about all religions, and one not often understood by atheists. |
22793 | Some religions lead to harsh servitude and the debasement of human beings [Hegel] |
Full Idea: It should not be a forgotten that can take on a from which leads to the harshest servitude within the fetters of superstition, and to the debasement of human beings to a level below that of animals. | |
From: Georg W.F.Hegel (Elements of the Philosophy of Right [1821], 270) | |
A reaction: Hegel was a Christian, though a very unorthodox one. He cities ancient Egypt and India as examples. If you want to assess a religion, see how it behaves when it has political power. |