Philosophy of religion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Philosophy of religion - Assignment Example Plato calls for an in-depth inquiry between the processes of thinking in relation to the soul. Thus, he posts a question on why should a just soul lived through a just life be the ruler of society. Rather than simply agreeing with his teacher, Plato’s dialogues seek for the confrontation of these ideas though subsequently agreeing with it (Miller, n.d., pp. 173-174). The virtuous man is another philosophical awareness that he inculcates in Republic where the ruler is demanded to be good and must prioritize the people. There is what McPherran (1996) regards as an agnostic inclination of Socrates on the goodness of death since Socrates does not claim expertise on the subject matter. He recognizes the existing religious beliefs including the tales that come with mythological teachings but does not adhere to it. He is more persuaded on gods and judges that will determine one’s fate on the afterlife (p.259). The concept of the soul and the afterlife is a widely debated relig ious topic. The conception of Socrates and the stress he puts on the tending of the soul points out to his belief on a metaphysical form of man. As a religious topic, the soul can be perceived in most of all world religions with varying understanding from heaven and hell in Christianity to reincarnation and nirvana to Buddhism along with many other beliefs. 2. Does commitment to philosophical exploration imply the embodiment of certain virtues? If so, does this, or could this, lead to the practice of asceticism? Consider either the case of Socrates or Plato (or both) to answer this question. The call of Socrates toward a virtuous life toward the nurturing of the soul and the embodiment of the just ruler does to an extent lead to asceticism as contemplated. The virtues of a ruler are of paramount importance to Socrates in the Republic. He regards that a man who desires so strongly for one thing will necessarily be weak when it comes to other things. He must be able to divert this