Up@dawn 2.0

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Food for Thought (14)

I apologize for posting on the blog without the post being related to our class (although, since our class IS philosophy, I guess it does relate). I just needed others' insight on an idea I ran across in my religion class, and since I wish to be a Philosophy minor, I was hoping for some other thoughts on a question I stumbled upon... (Anyone, please feel free to comment on this). I was studying a textbook from my Religion class when I came across the Author's claim that "to truly understand something, you must be able to define it." He was referring to the broad topic of religion, but do you agree? I wasn't sure if it was necessary to be able to literally DEFINE religion, or other examples, to actually understand the subject. Thanks! -David S.

4 comments:

  1. I believe there is some truth to at. If you are able to thoroughly and accurately define a religion, then it shows that you have a good understanding of it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A definition is a generalized statement. To really know something you have to learn its peculiarities and particularities. You have to get beyond the general.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, Dr. Oliver. I feel that if one is religious (or is not religious) that they can know what it they believe, yet not be able to produce a general (or specific, for that matter) definition for what they believe. I was simply curious if anyone else agreed with my thought.

      Delete
  3. Although if you can't grasp the basics and be able to give a general definition, then the statement is correct and you don't fully understand it.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.