I like this quote from Loyal Rue’s book, Religion Is Not About God:
“The most profound insight in the history of humankind is that we should seek to live in accord with reality. Indeed, living in harmony with reality may be accepted as a formal definition of wisdom. If we live at odds with reality (foolishly), then we will be doomed, but if live in proper relationship with reality (wisely), then we shall be saved. Humans everywhere, and at all times, have had at least a tacit understanding of this fundamental principle. What we are less in agreement about is how we should think about reality and what we should do to bring ourselves into harmony with it.”
Sceptics often call themselves ‘reality-based’, as if theists simply accept that they’re in flight from reality. But as Rue points out, everyone is trying to work out what is going on. Religious people are trying to have as deep a relationship with reality as possible. We all are. I also think he’s right that religions answer two demands: personal therapy (how can I be whole and authentic) and social coherence (how can our society live together).
He’s a leading proponent of Religious Naturalism, which sounds pretty similar to Stoicism, doesn’t it? Here’s him talking about his book – he talks about ancient Greek philosophy right at the end.
Thanks for posting this Jules! I've added this book to my ever-growing reading list.
Sure thing Greg
I've been thinking about the importance of metaphors a lot recently and their integral role in providing 'stickiness' to an idea.
Seneca believed that 'arguments are like eels: however logical, they may slip form the minds weak grasp unless fixed their by imagery and style'.
I don't know where I'm going with these thoughts but this post seems to tie in nicely – thanks fueling the imagination Jules!
Loved it.
And really enjoyed the way he used the word con-fused.
But now I need to know why only some myths get traction. What's the recipe? (I don't want to ask L. Ron Hubbard, tho)
That's a beautiful quote from Seneca, Nairn.
I was thinking about the same thing, having just re-read Plato's Republic – Plato's whole philosophy is about our ability to know truth from opinion, and yet Plato never speaks directly, but always through characters, stories, fables, metaphors. in fact, his whole method of philosophy is through metaphor – which introduces this uncertainty / irony / doubleness into his work.
The Republic is actually quite a post-modernist book! Its a puppet theatre in which the puppets tell us that all the world's a puppet theatre…All very Charlie Kaufman.
All best
Jules
Apparently Catholic saints were very aware of this:
"A wise man is one who savors all things as they really are."
said Bernard of Clairvaux
It made sense in medieval times more than it does today, if you look at the prevalent distrust in reason and "do whatever you want" mentality, apparently.