Philosophical Topics (Philosophy of the Mind Prt. II)

RELIGION

Part XII of Hume's Treatise is one that is somewhat very confusing but at the same time makes a little bit of sense. The entire interaction with Philo, and Cleanthes discussion is on the existence of God. Philo continues the conversation with Philo about their friend Demea being a deist in which he continues saying that "Here, then, the existence of a DEITY is plainly ascertained by reason, and if we make it a question whether... we can call him a mind or intelligence, notwithstanding the vast difference between which may reasonably be supposed between him and human minds..." (RPM2, 428). Basically, saying that the assumed existence of God as a deity is nothing but upon a reason or a lack for another term a thought, and that we really can't as humans even begin to know if we call him a mind or call him an intelligent being which one pertains to him or if he even exists as either of these described attributes, and that all of these things according to Philo are all due to religion, and that religion is corrupted which is why the world cannot make up their minds when it comes to calling God "God" or something else.

Cleanthes comes back and retorts saying that he agrees with Philo's philosophy a little bit yet says that religion in itself is necessary whether it is good religion or bad religion... "Religion, however corrupted, is still better than no religion at all. The doctrine of a future state is so strong and necessary a security to morals that we never ought to abandon or neglect it." (RPM2, 229). Basically what Cleanthes is telling Philo is that yes his philosophical view is correct in the fact that religion can cause corruption and yes that it has caused corruption and has left a bad reputation on this world, but nevertheless it religion is good or bad it still has a purpose in the world. According to Cleanthes to have punishments and rewards both good and bad that we as people display every day be it either to our children for doing something good or bad, or when one gets a promotion on the job or gets let go it is vital and important for religion to be established. Without religion according to Cleanthes then there would be no need to discuss the afterlife of whether there is a heaven or a hell to go to after one dies.

Philo retorts by using the famous atheistic view questioning and bringing up the fact that if religion and God are supposed to be good and bring about goodness then why are there natural disasters, slavery, civil wars, persecutions, oppression (RPM2, 430). To which Cleanthes replies saying that the reason these things are happening is because of the office of religion is to regulate the heart of men, infuse the spirit of temperance, humanize their conduct, order and justice (RMP2, 430) basically saying that the reason for religion is because it is to help keep order and since this world and people like to do their own things natural disasters and awful things happen to help them and keep this world in order. To which Cleanthes continues his sentence saying that... "When it distinguishes itself and acts as a separate principle over men, it has departed from its proper sphere and has become only a cover and ambition." (RPM2. 430). Basically, saying that when people and the world does what it is supposed to do then natural disasters will not happen but the more and more that people and the world decide to do their own things then more and more disasters, but within that he is saying that religion can separate itself from and still control men.

Philo takes Cleanthes argument and digs farther into his ideological belief of religion being evil to which he says on page 430 paragraph2 that men do not have the ability to operate by themselves, but that they are only ably to operate when theological religion comes into play... "A man's natural inclination works incessantly upon him; it is forever present to the mind and mingles itself with every view and consideration, whereas religion motivates, where they act at all, operate only by starts and bounds, and its scarcely possible for them become altogether habitual to the mind," (430). One would disagree with him and say that men operate even without religion being consistent in their lives, and that man can make decisions by the choice of freewill, and that through the power of freewill one can decide to do good or do bad. Yet one would agree to the fact that religion is habitually embedded within the mind. One would agree that through religion one is careful of what they say to one who is not of their religious views and religious theology. To say that religion is a controller would not necessarily be wrong sir Philo, but it is also not necessarily right either.

Religion odes have power Philo but only if one fully gives themselves over to it. Religion works for the man sir Philo especially when it comes to learning about other religions in an academic setting such as college or even within a church service where the pastor is giving an deeply rooted theological and religious sermon given to him or her by God. Religion works when one leaves the country to go to other parts of the world to see and experience other religious atmospheres that are not theirs that is religion Philo.