Little Book of Beliefs

By Philip Koehn

Little Book of Beliefs is an express tour of belief topics for curious minds. Is there a God? What is the purpose of life? Do humans have souls? Why do bad things happen to good people and vice versa? Life is a mystery and we're still guessing about its meaning and purpose.

Our personal beliefs, whether vague or specific, philosophical or spiritual, surely influence our values and outlook on life. Philip Koehn, author of Choosing your Religion and Exploring the Major Faiths, presents a brief synopsis of key philosophical and spiritual topics in this compact analysis.

Questions about existence? What does it mean to be a human being? Does reality exist only in the mind of the beholder or is reality independent of human perception? Do humans create the human condition or does a higher being impose it? Little Book of Beliefs explores some of the possible answers to these and other existential questions. It raises many of the questions that are likely to remain unsettled and answered only by beliefs.

Little Book of Beliefs is divided into three sections: Philosophy, Religion, and Spiritual Metaphysics. The book roams far and wide to look at this mystery from different angles. It looks at the big philosophical questions, important points of faith, and esoteric beliefs, the subjects that often define one's belief orientation. It examines topics as diverse as auras, God, ethics, existentialism, the human condition, karma, moral values, mysticism, nature spirits, and salvation, pieces of a puzzle we may never fit together. It is a "believe it or not" book about beliefs themselves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Philip Koehn
• Release date: Nov 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311636676

Book preview

Preface

It might seem odd that unrelated topics like ethics and auras appear in any one book. I can explain. Since this book is about beliefs, it seems like a good idea to start with purely secular views of reality and value systems like ethics before moving on to religion, metaphysics, or mysticism. Ethical systems, like religious faith or belief in auras, are rooted in certain beliefs about reality.

Beliefs. We all have them. Some have great clarity or solid justification while others remain under question. Our beliefs, whether vague or specific, philosophical or spiritual, surely influence our values and outlook on life. But how should we filter the great kaleidoscope of beliefs that exist? I can’t really say, it’s a personal thing.

Little Book of Beliefs is for the curious mind, a believe it or not book about beliefs. It may raise more questions than it answers. Indeed, the book provides only possible answers for the reader’s consideration, as this author cannot venture any judgments on what is real. I leave it to readers to form their own opinions or arrive at conclusions.

So I have taken on philosophy, religion, and spiritual metaphysics in a small way, in synopsis fashion. These three subject areas are of course related as all three involve beliefs. In scope, this book ranges from esoteric philosophies to religious beliefs to existential questions about divinity, the human condition, the nature of existence, and the meaning of life.

Your personal beliefs may be the product of any combination of culture, tradition, knowledge, faith, intuition, or analysis.

This book does not presume to provide additional food for thought, but a plate of exotic appetizers at best. It is an express tour of beliefs topics that often define one’s belief orientation. Have fun.

Philip Koehn

Portland, Oregon 2013

Little Book of Beliefs

Introduction

Questions about existence? Is there a God? What is the purpose of life? Do humans have souls? Life is a mystery and we’re still guessing about its meaning and purpose. We have some facts and many, many beliefs. Little Book of Beliefs explores some of the possible answers and tries to view this mystery from different angles.

Beliefs are institutional and personal. Personal beliefs shape values, determine priorities, and form purpose. If we are selective in our beliefs, it is probably due to the influence of our culture, religion, temperament, sensibilities, and intuition. Many of us accept certain beliefs as articles of faith. Others strictly follow the dictates of sense and logic. Some choose to believe everything they hope is true.

Is our essence, the way we experience life, determined by the sum of our beliefs, or do we have an inner core that is independent? When it comes to beliefs, especially about the cosmos, existence, and spirituality, most people have one of three orientations:

– Assume nothing is true unless there is scientific proof or physical evidence.

– Assume everything is true by default, unless it is proven false.

– Assume some things are true and other things are false (a selective or religious view).

As humans, we do not only experience life but are also compelled to raise questions about it, hold beliefs about it, and attach meaning to it. For as long as humankind has existed, this has been the case.

After more than 200,000 years of human life and strife on the planet, many of the fundamental questions about existence remain without certain answers. This book poses many of the questions that are likely to remain unsettled and answered only by beliefs.

Little Book of Beliefs examines various existential questions and important points of faith over a wide spectrum of philosophies. It looks at key topics through the lenses of philosophy, religion, and spiritual metaphysics.

This book is divided into three main sections that encompass a range of views on key philosophical and spiritual topics, including humanism, morality, divinity, salvation, and spiritual destiny:

The Philosophy section looks at some basic philosophical concepts and provides a brief synopsis for each.

The Religion section focuses on important religious and spiritual questions.

The Spiritual Metaphysics section explores a variety of beliefs embraced by esoteric and mystical philosophies.

Is it possible elements of one belief system are potentially compatible with elements of another? Some beliefs, at least on the surface, may appear irreconcilable with others. Personal interpretation and analysis sometimes resolve this and an accommodation is made; one’s belief system changes or expands to accept a new working part or new piece of wisdom.

Philosophy

Philosophy

Ok, let’s start with philosophy and lay some groundwork.

A philosophy is a system of ideas that work together to support a particular view. For example, one can construct a philosophical argument that God exists, or that God does not exist. Philosophy encompasses religion, spiritual beliefs, and metaphysics. Any belief system therefore, can be classified as a philosophy.

In examining questions of belief (all things not considered facts), there may be value in first setting the stage by looking at a variety of purely philosophical, non-religious views of existence and reality. These philosophies are constructed from various mixes of facts and beliefs. A brief look at them will establish a baseline view, a context in which to ponder questions more spiritual in nature if one is so inclined.

Philosophy is a systematic approach to questions, the study of concepts and ideas. It attempts to explain existence, reality, purpose, and values. Some branches of philosophy such as logic are highly analytical and use rigorous methods like deductive reasoning. On a personal level, philosophy influences our outlook on life, sense of ethics, behavior, and priorities.

What we today call Classical philosophy originated with the ancient Greeks and Romans. The works of Aristotle and Plato are among most prominent works of the Classical period (500-300 BC). They established the foundation for most Western philosophical thought that followed. Eastern philosophy, on the other hand, is rooted in the ancient traditions of Vedism, the foundation of the Hindu religion.

The word philosophy comes from the Greek word philosophia meaning love of wisdom. In casual usage, the term often refers to the most basic beliefs, attitudes, or views of an individual or a certain group. It may also describe a particular approach to an activity, such as a business philosophy.

The different fields of philosophy include logic, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and aesthetics.

Logic studies the principles of reasoning and applies the rules of deductive and inductive methods to reach conclusions.

Ethics is the study of human behavior, primarily its moral aspect.

Metaphysics studies general and non-physical aspects of existence such as first causes, time, and the nature of being.

Epistemology formulates theories about knowledge itself, its nature, scope, and limitations.

Aesthetics is concerned with artistic qualities and perception, defining beauty, and determining what is most pleasing.

Major Philosophical Movements

Humanism – the view that human interests are paramount. Humanism values what is good for the individual, for human society.

Pragmatism – the view that utility is the highest value. Pragmatism evaluates truth in terms of usefulness.

Rationalism – the view that reasoning is the best means of determining truth.

Realism – the view that reality exists in an absolute sense, independent of the mind or perception.

Skepticism – the view that reason for doubt can be found in any justification of a truth.

Ethics, Morality, and Virtue

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

(The Golden Rule)

Ethics

Ethics is a system of moral principles. It examines concepts such as right and wrong from which it derives standards of ethical behavior. The term ethics comes from the Greek word ethos, meaning character. As a philosophy, ethics is the study of human behavior, primarily its moral aspect. Its main purpose is to define and recommend a moral code, a system of rules that specifies how humans should act and interact.

What is the connection between ethics and beliefs? Ethics are tied to values and values are rooted in beliefs or assumptions about what is important or good. Ethical philosophies often start with the question, What is the greatest good? An ethical system may evaluate human actions according to what is beneficial or detrimental to society as a whole.

Some call ethics the philosophy of morality. It applies moral principles to human actions and in doing so, translates moral values into a code of behavior. Ethical systems may be humanistic or spiritualistic in their justification. Regardless of justification, however, values are often the same.

Your personal sense of ethics is grounded in any of a variety of value systems. These could include social values, spiritual values, sense of right and wrong, and sense of fairness. Moral values are influenced or even molded by personal beliefs. For that reason, it is worth examining the subject of ethics to consider the principles our sense ethics is based on.

Do we put a premium on moral virtue or the general good of society? Ethical systems rest on beliefs about what has value. Ideas about equity and justice are often part of the moral premise. Systems may be absolutist, relying on unchangeable principles; or relativistic, taking circumstances into account. Philosophies such as pragmatism and relativism are evident in a number of ethical theories.

Throughout history, different ethical philosophies have emerged and their values differ greatly. Judaic ethics may define behaviors as either pleasing or offensive to God, while humanistic systems place more value on human interests.

Some examples of Ethical Systems:

Cultural Relativism – The moral quality of an action is determined by culture. What is right in one culture may be wrong in another.

Emotive Ethics – There is no real basis for any action’s moral quality, there are only emotional reactions.

Situation Ethics – The moral quality of an action depends on the situation and outcome. The principle of love is the only absolute.

Virtue Ethics – The moral quality of actions is in how they reflect personal character.

Major ethical movements in history include the following:

Hedonism – Values based on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain (popular in ancient Greece and Rome).

Pragmatism – Values based on functional effects, tangible benefits and usefulness.

Stoicism – Accepting all things that cannot be changed with emotional indifference. Peace of mind is the greatest good.

Utilitarianism – Values based on what is best for the overall good of society.

The Golden Rule

Throughout history, the Golden Rule has been the guiding principle for many ethical systems. Among the great number of rules that govern human interaction, many stem from this single rule. Ethics terms this principle the ethic of reciprocity. It calls for one to treat others the same way one wishes to be treated by others.

The Golden Rule principle has been a foundation for laws governing personal conduct as well as civic life since ancient times. The essence of this rule and its application are found in a variety of world cultures. It has been applied often as the primary standard for regulating human behavior. Over the centuries, philosophers and religious figures have expressed the rule in a number if different ways.

Ethics in Judaism

Ethics has always been a major part of Jewish tradition. The Ten Commandments, the first formal set of moral laws for the Hebrew people, is the moral bedrock of the Judaic faith. These commandments are also the foundation of Jewish ethics.

The Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, also called the Laws, contains many rules that specify ethical practices and the right moral actions for a wide variety of situations. Judaism was built on laws, a system of rules that defined conduct believed to bring favor with God.

The code of ethics derived from biblical law addresses all facets of life, including personal acts, marriage, family, and business interactions. The laws also comment on moral virtues such as honesty and tolerance.

Virtue Ethics

Virtue ethics is a school of ethics that emphasizes personal character rather