Gate of Wisdom (The Past and Present of Religion and Philosophy)

Author: (English) Linda Smith, (English) William Ripple, translated by Zhang Nianqun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-03-01
Features: Inside each of us, there exists a complex blend of thoughts about ourselves and the world, originating from here and there. This book takes us on a journey through the spiritual phenomena of different eras, places, and people. The authors attempt to show you why these thoughts were conceived and the significance they hold. In this way, you can observe yourself and your thoughts against the backdrop of historical context, as our reflections on things form an ongoing part of the history of philosophy from ancient times to the present. The book primarily focuses on the Western context, so we have chosen Christianity and Western philosophy for examination, as these two have influenced and shaped Western society. The book barely touches upon Eastern philosophy and non-Christian religions, but even if you are a follower of another religion or have no religious affiliation, reading this book may still be beneficial to you. If you plan to live in the West and familiarize yourself with these deeply rooted Western ideas, it will help cultivate a Western way of thinking. The scope of this book is not sufficient to cover all the important thoughts of Western philosophy, for example, it does not explore Wittgenstein or Spinoza. This book can serve as both a personal read and a school textbook. Throughout, the relationship between philosophy and Christianity is examined in the book.