In a previous post, we discussed the nature of knowledge and it has led us to further study the field of philosophy in the Baha’i writings.
To begin, Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i faith, praises great thinkers stating:
“[philosophers] stand out as leaders of the people and are prominent among them.” (1)
By the above statement, we could perhaps conclude that they are seen as highly influential people who occupy a ‘prominent’ station among human beings. Furthermore, the practice of philosophy, which can be said is an “independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition” (2) is one of the core teachings of the Baha’i faith.
Abdul-Baha describes that:
Philosophy consists in comprehending the reality of things as they exist, according to the capacity and power of man.” (3)
Thus, like many areas of human endeavor, philosophy is also limited to the ‘human experience.’ However, while unable to fully comprehend the reality of all things without the limitations of capacity and power of man, the collected knowledge of philosophical discoveries is ever-widening as human intellect grows and develops.
Contrary to the popular definition of philosophy today, as in Western civilization, philosophy is not, or should not be, simply a theoretical practice. There are three general teachings in the Baha’i faith that should probably be considered by those in the field of philosophy:
- The philosophical practice cannot “begin with words and end with words” (4) as a practical element is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of every presented theory.
- Philosophers or intellectuals of any field should tread “the mystical way with practical feet,” (5) as to not remain in the world of words and test its truth.
- And finally in their search for truth, one should understand that “reality is one and cannot admit of multiplicity” (6) and thus the search for both the physical and the metaphysical reality should be approached with harmony to the other.
Thus, with those few points in mind, Abdul’l-Baha refers to the words of Baha’u’llah on the topic, stating:
In His Tablets He has encourged and rather urged [people] to study philosophy. Therefore, in the religion of Baha’u’llah philosophy is highly esteemed. (1)
Happy discovering!
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Sources:
- Star Of The West, XIII, p.194
- God Passes By p.281
- Some Answered Questions, p. 221
- Tablets of Baha’u’llah, p. 169
- Baha’i World, VI, p. 480
- Selections from the Writings of Abdul-Baha, p. 298