Can Mumsnet take the word 'philosophy' out of the topic-title 'Philosophy, Religion, Spuirituality?

[Threadworm]

Scanning through the topic, I see lots of religious threads, a few threads on New Age type stuff, but nothing on philosophy.

The connection between philosophy and religion isn't any greater than (say) the connection between physics and religion, and I don't think it's particularly helpful to put them together.

And as for lumping it with discussion of chrystal healing power and such like, that is slightly offensive.

If anyone wants to discuss philosophy, they could put in in 'other subjects'.

[Lulumama]

can discussion of religion and spirituality not also be philosophical?

[EmsMum]

I'm not sure thats quite correct. My DH is currently quite interested in Buddhism. Now, is that a religion or a pholosophy? I've just started reading, at his recommendation, a book called The Monk and The Philosopher (dialog between famous french philosopher and his scientist/Buddhist monk son).

[CodDickinson]

yes i initially clicked nad thoguht oh FGS
btu yes i am with yo

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

Oh for goodness sake! That's a personal judgement..

"There are more things in heaven and earth (Horatio) than could ever be thought of in your philosphy".. don't you know?

Or even "philosphy... is the talk on a cereal box.." (can't remember who sang that before Emma Bunton)

I can't beleive the things people whinge about! People can have "philosphical" discussions about all sorts of things..! It means something different to each person.

And why put chrystal healing in "" just because you clearly find it to be bollocks? That doesn't mean everyone will agree.. nor that it is bollocks!

[JeremyVile]

Philosophy and religion are intrinsically linked.
It makes sense for them to share a topic.
Of course, there will be those who feel aggrieved at having to rub shoulders with the village idots who follow religion/spirituality every time they want to have a valid and noble discussion on philosophy.

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

Well more fool them for having such closed minds

[Threadworm]

I agree that it is a tiny thing to winge about.

I just think that a lot of people have a very wrong idea about what philosophy actually is.

It's certainly true that you can have a philosophical discussion about lots of different things (including religion and spirituality). But that further makes the case for not linking it especially with religion and spirituality.

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

It may be "wrong" to you Threadworm.. and you are entitled to that opinion but others won't necessarily share it. That in itself is philosophical.

[CodDickinson]

crystals is UTTE R boollocks

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

So are some of your opinions cod. That's a value judgement of course.

And it's "crystals are..."

[irises]

Shiny, was it Edie Brickell?

[Threadworm]

Hmm, I'm not sure that language works too well when we can each decide what a word means for us.

I don't mean to make any claim about what exists and what doesn't -- e.g. whether God, the afterlife, and so on are real.

[Peachy]

Are you SURE about the connection?

Almost ahving completed a three year religion and philosophy degree I'd disagree.....

Buddhism for a start: religion or philosophy (given its atheistic status): discuss and hand your thesis in ASAP!

As for all the emenent Philosophists who focus on religion (Nietzsche (can never spell it but havre read it LOL), for example

[Peachy]

EmsMum, have you looked at the question of king menander? Another great discursive piece (but far more ancient) that gave many on our course that great lightbulb moment for understanding the erm- philosophy. Can find a link if you want?

[Peachy]

here- slightly different translation than the one I used for Uni but an excellent site source.

[Threadworm]

Sure, philosophy of religion is a really important area. But so is philosophy of science, philosphy of history, philosophy and literature/art...

Historically philosophy and religion have been more intimately connected than they are now. But then so were science and religion.

[PrettyCandles]

Philosophy

If you allow the point of view that people discussing religious or spiritual issues are seeking the meaning of life, the philosophy is part of that. If, however, you maintain that philosophy is purely rational, then, yes, it does not fit in with relgion and spirituality.

[Peachy]

But there's no MN strand saying that ONLY this thread can host philosophical debate- a debate on say the ethics of genetic research is going to amterialise elsewhere. But a subject title without Philosophy will exclude quite a lot of religious and spiritual discussion if you took it literally... not just Buddhism, Jainism for example. Humanism debates occasionally amterialise here too (can you tell how long I've been around? memo to self: get a life! )

[Peachy]

Even then PC, the rationalisation of religion is a valid topic- trying to break down religions into rational responses (esp. religious texts!) is quite a common thread of both religious and philosophical research- religious religion grads are ime quite the rarity

[PrettyCandles]

Quite right, Peachy.

[Threadworm]

Wouldn't want to exclude philosophical discussion from the religion/spirituality area , or from anywhere else. I'm just concerned that philosophy shouldn't be identified with either religion or just a 'value system' or a set of New Age beliefs.

[SoupDragon]

How on earth is it offensive to have it alongside new age stuff and religion??

[Threadworm]

I don't find it offensive to have it alongside religion. I just think that it is not at all the same thing as religion, so that it is misleading to have it there. Discussions of baby-led weaning will rightly have philosophical content (notions of the emerging self, rights of infants, etc), but you wouldn't have 'Breastfeeding / Philosophy as atopic

[hunkermunker]

I've got a philosophy degree.

[Peachy]

So then- where would you put it?