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God and philosophy

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Thales of Miletus, whom tradition regards as the first Western philosopher, is well-known for the rationalist view that the first principle is water, and the religious statement, "all things are full of gods." (p. 1) For Gilson, this epitomizes the problems of relating philosophy and religion. How can religious and philosophical statements about God be reconciled? For Thales and the Greeks, Gilson argues that they cannot, but that it is otherwise with the Christian philosophies of Being.
On this basis, rejects the view that Greek philosophy is a rationalization of a religious viewpoint, apparently on the basis that one cannot interpret a world of personal forces in terms of things. However, F. M Cornford and others argued persuasively for the opposite view, and seem to have in great part won the battle. For example, the classic study of the presocratic philosophers by Kirk, Raven, and Schofield, as well as anthologies by Wheelwright and Barnes, begin with a consideration of their religious and mythological predecessors. So, it does not seem one can understand the origin of Greek philosophy without considering Greek religion.

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Availability

171007919

212.1 GIL g

Z. HANDIMAN

Available

Detail Information

Series Title

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Call Number

212.1 GIL g

Publisher

New Haven : Yale University Press., 1979

Collation

xviii, 147p.; 22 cm.

Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

0-300-00097-9

Classification

212.1

Content Type

-

Media Type

-

Carrier Type

-

Edition

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Subject(s)

GOD - EXISTENCE

Specific Detail Info

F

Statement of Responsibility

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