Rational Requirements for Welcoming Comparative Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

Comparative philosophy of religion can be considered as a new approach for philosophical studies of religion. In this approach, rational assessing of religious beliefs is done through different perspectives. In fact, comparative philosophy of religion provides this possibility to see our religious beliefs from other people’s view, and see their beliefs from our view. The result of welcoming this approach is reforming, falsifying or demonstrating the truth of our or others’ religious beliefs. This result can be pleasant or unpleasant for believers, that is, if the result of welcoming comparative philosophical studies concerning religious beliefs lead to rejecting or reforming our religious beliefs, we should accept the conclusion and reform our beliefs or put them away. In fact, as philosophy of religion tries to rationally assess religious judgments, welcoming comparative philosophy may challenge our rational tendency to religion and religious tradition, and it may falsify some parts of our religious beliefs. In this paper, I argue that if we welcome comparative philosophy of religion, how much its consequences are acceptable and which parts of religious beliefs or the totality of religion can be changed or reformed.

Keywords

• comparative philosophy of religion
• rational assessment
• religious beliefs
• religion
• god