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mid 1 Flashcards

1
Q
A
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2
Q

What was the focus of religio in Ancient Rome?

How did Christian thinkers redefine religio in Late Antiquity?

A

Public duty, ritual, and respect for the gods

As a personal and communal bond with God

Religio involved careful attention to divine matters.

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3
Q

What did religio signify during the Medieval period?

A

Monastic life and institutionalized religious practice

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4
Q

What is the etymological root of religio according to Cicero? and when?

What concept did Lactantius associate with religio? and when

A

Relegere, meaning to treat carefully (100bce)

Religare, meaning to bind or connect (250ce)

This involves careful observance of ritual and traditions, and pondering over divine matters.

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5
Q

What concept did st augustine initially associate with religio?

what key idea can be drawn from augustines intitial definiton of religio

A

religere, as in to recover

the idea of redemption

having lost God through neglect, we recover Him [religentes] and are drawn to Him

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6
Q

what is lactantius argument against ceceros definiton of religion

A

his argument seperating religious from superstitious is weak,

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7
Q

cicero distinction between religion and superstition

A

those who prayed out of fear were superstitios (irrational fear of the gods)

those who handled things carefully, and gathered things as they realted to the worship of god were considered religious

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8
Q

how does lactantius differntiate between superstitious and relgiious

A

religious is cuktivation of truth
superstitious is false

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9
Q

lactantius three reuqirements for worshipping god in the practice of religion

A

faith, hope, charity

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10
Q

key three figures in the shift of the meaning of religion in 1600s

A

grotius, purchas, brerewood

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11
Q

how did the word religion shift in the 1600s

A

idea of world religions, no longer one religion

Shift to meaning of system of doctrines

This refers to a shift in understanding religion as a system of doctrines.

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12
Q

What was Grotius, Purchase and brerewood invidiual contributions? influence

A

Grotius: introduced a propositional (doctrinal) conception of religion

Purchas: Which author addresses Mahomet as a religion, indicating a new usage of the term?

Brerewood: Mentioned other religions

Grotius emphasized a true/false descriptive sense of religion.

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13
Q

What does Grotius suggest about the nature of religion? (4)

A

1) propositional (doctrines)
2) true/false in descriptive sense
3) religion often in books
4) idea of world relgions

This indicates a shift from activity-based to doctrinal understanding.

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14
Q

Prior to the modern conception, how was the question ‘What’s your religion?’ typically understood?

A

More a question of how do you worship God rather than which specific doctrine you follow

This shows the transition to a focus on doctrinal distinctions.

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15
Q

what were the big 4 doctrines

A

christianity, judaism, paganism, mahomentanism

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16
Q

what did grotius think of the other religions

A

had errors

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17
Q

Who are the pioneering figures in the field of non sectarian religious studies?

A

David Hume, Hobbes

Known for his work in the natural history of religion.

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18
Q

According to Hobbes, what psychological dispositions lead to the emergence of religion? Where do these come from?

A

Curiosity and the desire to know causes

These dispositions stem from anxiety and fear

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19
Q

What does Hobbes believe people are trying to understand through religion?

A

Invisible causes of happiness and unhappiness

This leads them to suppose that there are spirits.

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20
Q

How does Hobbes describe the state of man in nature?

A

Solitary, brutish, and short

This reflects his view of human nature without societal structure.

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21
Q

Who were the Cambridge Platonists?

A

More and Cudworth

They were part of a significant movement in England.

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22
Q

What concepts did the Cambridge Platonists introduce?

A

Theism, monotheism, polytheism

These concepts helped shape religious thought in England.

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23
Q

what did hobbes set out to achieve with the leviathan

A

psychogensis of religion

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24
Q

where did religious beleifs orignate (kant, 3)

A
  • Early people attributed unknown events to supernatural causes.
  • The idea of one supreme God arises from reasoning about a First Cause (First Mover) rather than from fear alone.
  • The belief in spirits and gods developed from misunderstandings of dreams, reflections, and natural phenomena.
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25
role of religion in society (kant)
- Those who invented and manipulated religion for political control. - Those who claimed divine authority, like Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, to establish true religion.
26
kant on pagan religions
Pagan religions assigned divine status to natural forces, emotions, and even objects (e.g., planets, animals, and virtues like Fortune or War).
27
kant on superstition and spirits
people evoke natural causes to the superstition and spirits (lust to cupid, filling seas with nymphs, forests w faries etc.)
28
how did kant accuse regilous instituions of contorlling poeple
exploited people's fears through rituals, sacrifices, and ceremonies to control behavior.
29
what happens to faith with corrpt religious leaders (kant)
faith declines, israelites rejected the sons of Samuel because they took bribes
30
how did chritsians combine relgiion and political power (kant)
Governments declared sins as crimes to strengthen their laws. Leaders encouraged rituals, sacrifices, and festivals to: 1) Keep people believing that natural disasters or misfortunes were punishments from the gods. 2) Prevent uprisings by making people blame ritual mistakes rather than the government. Religion is often sustained not by belief, but by state support and tradition.
31
humes two key questions of religion
1. Is it based on reason? 2. What are its origins in human nature?
32
what was the first religion (hume)
polytheism (idol worship)
33
origin of polytheism (hume)
- People personified unknown natural forces (e.g., storms, famine, disease) as gods. - Because human life is uncertain and unpredictable, people created gods to explain and control events. - The variety of gods reflected the complexity and uncertainty of human experience.
34
what did hume think about early polytheistic gods being creators
- Early polytheistic gods were not thought to have created the world. - Gods were seen as limited beings, responsible for specific events like war, fertility, or the harvest. - Many ancient religions saw gods as part of nature, not above it.
35
hume thoughts on hero worship
- Mythologies mix symbolism and real historical figures, leading to the deification of past rulers or heroes. - Examples: 1. Hercules & Theseus were real figures later worshipped as gods. 2. Natural forces like love, war, or wisdom were personified as gods (e.g., Venus, Mars, Minerva). - Art and statues strengthened religious belief, as people worshipped physical representations of gods.
36
polytheism to monotheism (hume)
- Over time, as gods became more powerful in myths, people combined their roles into one supreme deity. - Rulers and priests promoted monotheism to unify religious worship. - However, monotheistic beliefs were often still mixed with polytheistic traditions (e.g., saints in Christianity).
37
reason for religion (hume)
Religion evolves due to human emotions and social needs, not divine revelation.
38
montheism back to polytheism (hume)
Over time, religions become corrupted by superstition and return to polytheistic practices.
39
optimal society (hume)
The best society would be one where morality is based on reason rather than religious fear.
40
What does the term 'essentialistic concepts of religion' denote?
A real sphere of human experience or human phenomena ## Footnote This term refers to the foundational aspects of religion that are universally recognized across cultures.
41
Who argued that the essence of religion is ethics?
Kant ## Footnote Kant posited that at its root, religion is fundamentally about ethical principles.
42
What was Schleiermacher's stance regarding Kant's view on religion?
He disagreed with Kant ## Footnote Schleiermacher proposed a different understanding of religion, focusing more on emotional aspects.
43
What does Schleiermacher mean by 'feeling for the infinite'?
A deep emotional connection to the concept of infinity ## Footnote This idea suggests that religion evokes feelings that transcend ordinary human experience.
44
critical view
religion is a social construct intended for power
45
wittgenstein approach
religion is just a word ## Footnote meaning is use
46
What is the distinction between religion and politics according to William Penn?
Religion is about going to heaven; politics is about the preservation of civil society ## Footnote Politics focuses on law and order, while religion aims for spiritual salvation.
47
According to John Locke, what is the relationship between church and commonwealth?
Church is absolutely separate and distinct from the commonwealth ## Footnote This separation was not normal prior to Locke's ideas, as church and state were integrated.
48
What is the aim of religion?
Reaching heaven
49
What is the aim of politics?
Order and society, in accordance to reason
50
What does Fitzgerald suggest about the liberal elite and the separation of religion and politics?
It doesn't make sense to separate religion and politics; this separation has been enforced for economic purposes ## Footnote Fitzgerald argues that people are told to keep religious convictions private.
51
What was the public sentiment in England regarding the colonization of America?
The people were not behind it ## Footnote This sentiment is also noted in the context of the opium trade.
52
What does Fitzgerald believe was Locke's motive for enforcing the distinction between religion and politics?
To pacify internal English opposition to colonization of America and to keep the king out of it ## Footnote Fitzgerald suggests Locke had ulterior motives related to asserting natural land rights.
53
What was the state of church and state prior to John Locke?
There was no separation; they were integrated
54
How has the integration of church and state been viewed historically in America?
It has been taken for granted as the norm ## Footnote This also extends to distinctions made between religious and political wars.
55
What does Fitzgerald argue about the distinction between religious and non-religious in modern liberalism?
The distinction is negligible; key doctrines of liberalism are based on myths ## Footnote This includes the characterization of human nature and the belief in equality and justice.
56
What does the U.S. Constitution mention regarding life, liberty, and happiness?
It is a spin on Locke's life, liberty, and property; happiness encompasses property
57
What does Michel Foucault suggest about the term 'religion'?
Underneath the term are ideologies, power relations, etc.
58
what did john locke say regarding the king and heaven
not the kings job to decide if i go to heaven or not
59
how does fitzgerald classify liberalism as a religion
- traits like we want equality, justice etc. - no modern science can prove that humans are equal - no different than a religious belief - held to such an extent that there woul dbe outrage if you were to challenge it (similar to old religious attitude)
60
what is neoliberalism
emphasizes free markets, deregulation, privatization, and minimal government intervention
61
negative vs positive liberty
negative: no government interference positive: government interference for the betterment of society
62
fitzgerald on religion v politcs
idea that politcs is different than religion has been institutionalized in western society
63
fitzgerald on locks reasoning behind split beween politcs and god
locke wanted american land, all land belonged to the king, wanted to split church and state to assert natural land rights over against the king
64
What do essentialists believe about Fitzgerald
uptight with the concept of religion
65
According to Wittgenstein, what is the meaning of a word?
How it's used in language currently
66
What does Wittgenstein suggest with the phrase 'look and see'?
What does the word mean? How is it being used?
67
Why does Nongbri argue that asking if 'isms' are a religion is pointless?
Because it's just a word
68
What conclusion does Nongbri reach about the definition of religion?
There is no fact of the matter as to where it actually started
69
According to Nongbri, what is the meaning of a word?
Its use in language
70
What does Nongbri suggest about fixating on the correct definition of religion?
It's pointless
71
nongbri on seperation of religion from state etc.
western concept
72
does nongbri think religion is universal
no, khasi dont even have a word for religion, hinduism/buddhism created by english to classify other religions
73
nongbris challenge defninign religon
some are too braod (inlcude politics) some are too narrow (exclude buddhism) used wittgenstein: meaning is use / family resembelance
74
nongbri definiton of religion
a kind of inner sentiment or personal faith ideally isolated from secular concern
75
what does fitzgerald think about the term religion
should be abandoned, no different than politcs and economics

RGST FINAL (9 decks)

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