Overview
In my first report, I explored the background and historical context that formed Martin Luther’s philosophy into what we know it as today. Luther was a Christian, but far from a conformist. He questioned social structures, and for this, I believe we can use him as an example for modern philosophical perspectives. America in the current era is facing an array of social problems, and in the face of social reform, philosophy becomes key. In order to explore the influence of Luther’s philosophies today, we must first examine his era and our own in their separate contexts.
Luther & the Reformation
Luther lived in a time with many parallels to the world we live in today. He came from a society with divided socioeconomic classes, and tensions between these classes. Social norms, beliefs, and even laws were influenced by the Catholic church, a powerful figure which tended to withhold information and allow corruption in its midst at the time. And, foremost for our discussion, Luther's society was yearning for change. People wanted free thought and free education, and organized religion was starting to subconsciously burn for reform. That's where Luther comes in. With his Theology of the Cross, Luther believed in accessible religion to the masses -- a humanist perspective on religion where only faith is required to be Christian. Luther began a wave of modernism in early Enlightenment Europe. As people became more educated, they began to question withstanding structures and social norms. For the religious side of this movement, Luther was a foremost figure. His willingness to question authority changed religion, and even society, forever.
America in 2018
For anyone who keeps up with the news, or even secondhand discussion of current events, it is clear that America has some serious issues to deal with. Immigration reform has been making reverse progress under the hand of the Trump presidency. America is facing an epidemic of Islamophobia, and Xenophobia in general. On top of the war and political unrest in nations around the world, these psychological barriers create major tension associated with the refugee crisis. Furthermore, our president's actions support a culture of misogyny and a distrust for media that have aggravated the political divide in America to a breaking point. Education, human rights, and more are in dire need of reform. While the subject matter is vastly different in the modern day, there are some major parallels to the world Luther was born into.
Luther on a Modern Stage
In a world needing reform, we need to look for reformers. In his lifetime, Luther set the example of questioning authority. In today's America, or administration is seemingly bent against vital reform. America is backtracking, if anything. So, we look to Luther. Luther was cited as referring to Islam as a "tool of the devil." However, as a Christian pacifist, Luther opposed the Holy Wars, and he was utterly indifferent to the practice of Islam. To combat Xenophobia on an individual level, we don't have to agree with outside perspectives. We just have to respect their right to exist. Additionally, Luther strongly believed in the phrase sola fide: by faith alone. In other words, God was, in his mind, the only deciding factor necessary to human existence. While not everyone should be Christian, everyone can take advice from this concept. First, Luther believed that God was the final judge of people, not other people. If Americans could stop judging the actions and beliefs of others based on their own moralities, maybe the nation could live with harmony in diversity. Though Luther probably didn't know it at the time, his religious philosophies transferred directly into humanist perspectives that are absolutely vital for social coexistence. Secondly, sola fide pushes for individualism. It directly refers to individual faith, but through this concept, Luther placed inherent value on the individual. If people today saw each other for their individual value -- if our nation's leaders saw people as individuals -- the divisive climate in America would not exist.
Midterm Report:
- https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2018/10/martin-luther.html#links
Comments:
- https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2018/11/hagan-himym-pt-2.html?showComment=1544150027374#c7367494382326679596
- https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-philosophy-of-john-locke.html?showComment=1544150259241#c4426644354553936293
"Luther strongly believed in the phrase sola fide: by faith alone. In other words, God was, in his mind, the only deciding factor necessary to human existence" - can you say more about what you take this to mean, and its implications for things like human autonomy, free will, responsibility and the like? More generally, why is faith in the absence of evidence considered a virtue in itself? Why isn't it better to withhold belief in the absence of compelling evidence? Why isn't faith a form of intellectual suicide?
ReplyDelete