Faith and Reason

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Recommended: Compatibility of faith with reason

Faith and reason were two modes of belief that dominated the history of Western Civilization. Both faith and reason were popularized as tools to understand the universe in Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian eras. By conflicting with each other, these two modes of belief sparked a lot of controversy. Reason or rationality is belief based on concrete evidence and logic. The development of one’s reason relies heavily on observation and questioning. Greco-Roman philosophers believed in the power of the human mind to understand the world. So in order to find ultimate truth, Greco-Roman philosophers dedicated their lives to perfecting their reasoning skills and encouraged those around them to do the same. Contradictory to reason, faith is the strong conviction in someone or something without concrete proof. The development of one’s faith relies heavily on religious teachings and practices. The Hebrews believed that ultimate truth could only be found in God. So in order to find ultimate truth, the Hebrews occupied their time with learning about God and his ethical demands. Though faith and reason’s contradiction isolated them from each other, Christian thinkers sought to unify these two modes of belief.

The Greco-Roman approach to ultimate truth was through reason. In Plato’s Apology, Socrates was the embodiment of rational thought. He questioned, observed, and drew conclusions. Though his behavior ultimately led to his demise, he represented a rational way of acquiring knowledge. After he was sentenced to death, Socrates described his death as an opportunity to continue a life of searching. “Above all, I shall be able to continue my search into true and false knowledge; as the world, so also in that; I shall find out who is wise, who pre...

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...are vastly different, Christian thinkers believed that it was possible to unify them. They came up with many convincing theories but came to an implicit consensus that these two modes of belief will always be different from each other. Though the Christian thinkers struggled to unify faith and reason, their attempt demonstrates that no matter how much these modes of belief differ, they should both be acknowledged as powerful and revolutionary.

Works Cited

1 Socrates. Plato’s Apology

2 Seneca. Letters to Lucilius

3 Epictetus. Discourses

4 Perry, Marvin. Western Civilization Ideas, Politics, and Society. Mason: Cengage Learning. 2009.

5 Proverbs 3

6 St. Paul. Corinthians 1

7 St. Paul. Corinthians 13

9 Tertullian. One the Prescription Against Heretics

11 Alexandria, Clement of. Stromata

13 St. Augustine. Confessions

15 Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologica

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