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Philosophy & Religion Portal | Britannica
Ancient Religions & Mythology
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Philosophy & Religion
Humans have long pondered not only how we came to be but also why we came to be. The earliest Greek philosophers focused their attention upon the origin and nature of the physical world; later philosophers have theorized about the nature of knowledge, truth, good and evil, love, friendship, and much more. Philosophy involves a methodical assessment of any and all aspects of human existence and experience. The realms of philosophy and religion have sometimes intersected in conducting such inquiries as these. As with philosophy, the study of religion underscores how humankind has long speculated about its origins. The possibility of a higher being (or beings) to which livings things owe their existence has long captived human thought. Many religions also offer their own views on the nature of good and evil, and they may prescribe guidelines and judgment on different kinds of human behavior.
Browse Subcategories
Featured content, October 07, 2025
philosophy of science
Philosophy of science, the study, from a philosophical perspective, of the elements of scientific inquiry. This article discusses...
Confucius
Confucius was China’s most famous teacher, philosopher, and political theorist, whose ideas have profoundly influenced the...
Judaism
Judaism, monotheistic religion developed among the ancient Hebrews. Judaism is characterized by a belief in one transcendent...
ethics
Ethics, the discipline concerned with what is morally good and bad and morally right and wrong. The term is also applied...
Christianity
Christianity, major religion stemming from the life, teachings, and death of Jesus of Nazareth (the Christ, or the Anointed...
Indian philosophy
Indian philosophy, the systems of thought and reflection that were developed by the civilizations of the Indian subcontinent....
study of religion
Study of religion, attempt to understand the various aspects of religion, especially through the use of other intellectual...
eschatology
Eschatology, the doctrine of the last things. It was originally a Western term, referring to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
Philosophy & Religion Quizzes
Earth’s Seas
Do you think you know everything about Earth’s seas? Test your knowledge with this quiz.
10 British Poets: A Quiz
This quiz will test your knowledge of ten notable poets from Great Britain. Find out how much you know about their lives...
10th-Grade Verbs Quiz
How good are you at identifying a verb’s definition? Take this quiz to find out. All definitions and usage examples are from...
10th-Grade Vocabulary Quiz
Can you correctly match 10th-grade–level vocabulary words to their definitions? Take this quiz to find out. Definitions and...
11th-Grade Vocabulary Quiz
Can you accurately match each definition to its word? Take this quiz to find out. Words in this quiz are at an 11th-grade...
12-Letter Words Quiz
A dozen words, a dozen letters each.
12 Quotes from U.S. Presidential Debates: A Quiz
Debates have been a high-profile component of U.S. presidential elections since at least 1960. How well do you know what...
12th-Grade Vocabulary Quiz
Can you accurately match definitions to their words? Take this quiz to find out. Words in this quiz are at a 12th-grade level....
13-Letter Word Quiz
Thirteen words, thirteen letters each. It’s your lucky day.
13 True-or-False Questions from Britannica’s Easiest Science Quizzes
Sometimes we here at Britannica hear that our quizzes are too hard. Not true! Here are 13 true-and-false questions from our...
Philosophy & Religion Videos
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Philosophy & Religion Subcategories

What did our ancestors believe in? What myths and stories did they use to explain the world around them and find meaning in it? How have their beliefs influenced modern religion and spirituality? Explore these questions and more while discovering notable traditions, figures, and legends that figured prominently in ancient religion and mythology.
Articles
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Romulus and Remus
Roman mythology
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Greek religion
ancient religion
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Middle Eastern religion
ancient religious beliefs and practices

What moral precepts guide us through tricky situations that may arise in relation to friendships, family, communities, and the work environment? Right and wrong are not always defined in the same way across different cultures.
Articles
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hedonism
philosophy
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primitivism
philosophy
-
free will and moral responsibility
philosophy

The humanities are those branches of knowledge that concern themselves with human beings and their culture. The humanities include the study of all languages and literatures, the arts, history, and philosophy.
Articles
- social science
- historiography
-
epigraphy
historiography

Here you'll find the thinkers and theorists who have expressed their own ideas about such topics as the nature of humankind's relationship with the metaphysical world, the definitions of truth and knowledge, and the conditions of existence. From ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle to later notable philosophers such as René Descartes and Immanuel Kant, philosophy's great thinkers have approached sensitive ethical and existential issues from a variety of different angles. Their ideas have influenced the way we look at our world and the way we relate to one another as human beings.
Articles
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John Stuart Mill
British philosopher and economist
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Thomas Hobbes
English philosopher
-
Karl Marx
political philosopher, economic theorist, and revolutionary

Do you embrace weighty topics such as the relative merits of empiricism and rationalism? An inquisitive spirit is all but a prerequisite for many of the topics listed here, which deal with the different approaches to and ideas about the big questions of life.
Articles
-
ethics
philosophy
- formal logic
- applied logic

Our religious beliefs can affect our lifestyle, our perceptions, and our way of relating to fellow human beings. Is there a higher power (or powers) that governs the universe and judges all of us? Does committing a mortal sin mean the death of a soul, or is there a chance for forgiveness? The answers to such questions differ widely across different religions.
Articles
-
Taoism
Chinese philosophy and religion
- Christianity
- Islamic world

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Martin Luther
German religious leader
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St. John Paul II
pope
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Muhammad
prophet of Islam

Human beings tend to relate to their religious beliefs through symbolism. Religious and sacred places—common destinations for pilgrims—represent a physical connection that helps believers express their devotion.
Articles
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Bethlehem
town, West Bank
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Church of the Holy Sepulchre
church, Jerusalem
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St. Peter’s Basilica
church, Vatican City

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
- gospel music
-
John Calvin
French theologian
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Joseph Haydn
Austrian composer

Sacred scriptures of all religions, viewed as the word of God or inspired by God, have influenced the moral and ethical standards of countries, peoples, and religious groups. Their interpretation has long been a subject of discussion and, at times, controversy.
Articles
- Dead Sea Scrolls
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Shruti
Hindu sacred literature
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Talmud and Midrash
Judaism

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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St. Augustine
Christian bishop and theologian
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purification rite
anthropology
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covenant
religion

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles

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