Combining Texts

Ideas for 'works', 'Phaedrus' and '21: First Epistle of Peter'

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3 ideas

29. Religion / A. Polytheistic Religion / 2. Greek Polytheism
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).
29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 1. Religious Commitment / e. Fideism
Always be ready to give reasons for your beliefs [Peter]
     Full Idea: Be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
     From: St Peter (21: First Epistle of Peter [c.50], 3:15)
     A reaction: This quotation is the rational theologian's standard response to pure fideism.
29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 2. Immortality / a. Immortality
Soul is always in motion, so it must be self-moving and immortal [Plato]
     Full Idea: All soul is immortal, for what is always in motion is immortal. Only that which moves itself never ceases to be in motion.
     From: Plato (Phaedrus [c.366 BCE], 245c)