Ultimate Reality According to Cobb, Avicenna, Wainright or Reuther - Essay Example

Religion Order No. 279844 No. of pages: 6 1st 6530 In philosophy ‘ultimate reality refers to the absolute nature of things around us. It is quite different to ordinary reality which is thought to be a product of the conscious mind of an individual. Generally, ultimate reality is alluded to by non – theistic religions whereas theistic religions emphasize divinity. However, ultimate reality has always been a subject that is highly debated. Science makes an attempt to define the nature of reality. However, this is not an easy task because reality presents itself in myriads of forms such as mental and psychological realities, physical realities, mathematical and linguistic realities in addition to digital realities. However, science is yet to make a clear definition of the ultimate reality. Religion however has attempted to find answers leading to ultimate reality. In Ultimate reality according to Cobb, Avicenna, Wainright or Reuther. According to Cobb, he characterizes God as “Emptiness” because he considers God to be a being “without limits.” Cobb’s idea of ultimate reality is that all the other property has limits, but in the case of God there are no limitations because God has no nature or properties and allows other beings to exist. Avicenna’s view on ‘ultimate reality’ is based on “The Nature of God.” In relation to this, he has two points of view. The first one Is about ‘contingent beings’ whose property is having been caused by the existence of another being. The second is about a ‘necessary being’ “does not need to be caused by any power for its existence. This being has no beginning and is in existence from the creation of the universe. Ultimate reality According to Avicenna is that God is a necessary being who is perfect and complete and cannot change because the properties of a necessary being are eternal. This means that according to God’s nature, it cannot be created nor destroyed. ‘Ultimate Reality’ is based on a dualistic ontology (Buddhists) which holds the view that a Non- being’ is as essential as being because both being and non- being are two incompatible states of reality. Therefore, ‘ultimate reality’ can have neither properties nor nature and that is what God is. Since God is considered as the ‘ultimate reality’ and the basis or foundation for all other beings, God does not possess any properties. God is in a totally new dimension altogether “himself” and is beyond dualism and properties. In relation to ‘ultimate reality’ Cobb says that Christianity tries to make an understanding of “rightness” and try to cultivate habits from worse to the better by experiencing what he calls a “trans- human domain of goodness.” In trying to give us a new concept of God through world religion, Cobb tries to integrate two renowned traditions – Mysticism and Morality; but his goal is not achieved and he asks us to think more on the lines of world religions by thinking of the ‘ultimate’ in ways that are non- personal. Ethics and morality in everyday life are influenced by religion. People who follow various religions are testimony to the fact that the crossroads they encounter in life’s way are but a reflection of the choices they make, keeping in mind the religion they follow. The said people are also members of a society and their reasoning and action influences their culture. The functioning of our society is thereby influenced by the ways in which religion impacts culture through reasoning, questioning and providing solutions. Ancient wisdom is preserved through religion and therefore it allows a culture to recover lost knowledge and insights. The preserved traditions of various cultures when they are sought to be preserved become a source of change. In the emerging global world there is an increase in the frequency of encounter among various religions which leads to change in our social life and thereby our culture. (Lester Kurtz, 2007) In the world today religion is considered to have great influence. People of various cultures have beliefs that have implications beyond the self and the world. These beliefs are useful in explaining the cause and reason for existence of human beings and they also guide our behavior and personal relationship. The culture of a community is greatly influenced by the religious beliefs of the people. Religious beliefs for many people around the world are central to their culture. These beliefs provide the moral code by which people live. In the present day many people do not give much importance to the religious beliefs of their parents and elders. However their relationship with other people and how they relate with them is governed by their underlying religious beliefs. (UNESCO (1997) In spite of diversities and conflicting notions religion is considered to be a part and parcel of wider cultural systems. (Daniel M & Carroll R.) Religion is a system of beliefs that is based on the need of humanity to explain the natural phenomena and the universe. It also requires the adherents to follow a set of principles prescribed by their religion. Culture on the other hand is a shared system of beliefs, values and customs that are handed down from generation to generation and are used by people to cope with one another and the world. The thread that binds people together as social creatures and humans is culture. Religion and faith are the true basis of all culture. No culture can exist or survive without religion. Religion always takes on the flavor and formula of a culture. The fruit of human civilization is culture and it can be either material or non-material. In the narrow sense of the word it includes art and literature and heritage. In its broader context it refers to science and technology too. In essence culture is immaterial and relates to the conduct of life. It is an ongoing process which seeps through generations. Culture and religion play an important role in national development. This development can either be negative or positive. The Jewish Experience of “Ultimate Reality.” According to the Jews, the oral tradition of ‘Kabbala’ meaning reception is handed down from generation to generation by the ‘Rabbis’ of ancient times. The mainstay of ‘Kabbala’ is a widely deep rooted belief, that there is a perpetual inter – relationship of the infinite power of God on one hand and the physical world of man on the other. According to the Jews man can become close to god by controlling his negative inclinations and experiencing a spiritual generation through meditation, prayer and interpreting the divine mysteries as laid down in the Holy Torah. According to the Jews the chief purpose of religion was to elevate the soul and to bring the individual in closer communion to God by sanctifying the soul. To attain this are higher level of spirituality is very necessary in order to create a world of peace and harmony where love, compassion and justice prevail. The Jews are of the opinion that life is a continuous process of growth both in the physical as well as spiritual form which takes us from one stage to another. The first stage Is the knowledge of truth about salvation. The next stage is the stage of growth where individuals practice the truth and inculcate virtues of self control and insight. The final stage Is called the stage of maturity where the person understands the fullness and greatness of perfection. In order to attain the ultimate stage of reality meditation is very important for the experience of the inner spirit. According to the Jews, The inner spirit cannot be satisfied by making use only of the sociological and material planes because it needs experiences of a higher plane. As rightly spoken by a Talmudic sage - "If a man prays only according to the precise text of the prayer and adds nothing from his own heart, his prayer is not complete. Therefore more than material things, it is the good deeds of man which would help him to reach the ‘ultimate reality’. References Daniel M & Carroll R. Rethinking contexts, rereading texts. http://www.cultureandreligion.com/ Kabbala – Mystical Dimension of Jewish Thought. www.experiencefestival.com/a/Kabbala/id/50516 Lester KurtzThe Worlds Religions in Sociological Perspective Second Edition. © 2007 Pine Forge Press Chapter 3. http://www.sagepub.com/booksProdSampleMaterials.nav?prodId=Book228727&currTree=Subjects&level1=A00&level2=A90 Religion, Values, Culture and Sustainable Development. Source: UNESCO (1997) Educating for a Sustainable Future: A Trans-disciplinary Vision for Concerted Action ‘Ultimate Reality – Cobb and Avicenna. http://www.elcamino.edu/faculty/eshadish/Phil7/PPs/WhoIsGod.ppt. Ultimate Reality www.experiencefestival.com/ultimate_reality One page The Jewish Experience with Ultimate Reality. One page mark the beginning of this journal entry: Islam within the Technological Age write how it is afftecting this religion. This entry should look at the previous entries and reflect upon the relationship that culture has to religion, and the relationship that religion has to culture. Read More