Philosophy

All mankind must be given a knowledge of science and philosophy

"Among other teachings and principles Bahá'u'lláh counsels the education of all members of society. No individual should be denied or deprived of intellectual training although each should receive according to capacity. None must be left in the grades of ignorance, for ignorance is a defect in the human world. All mankind must be given a knowledge of science and philosophy; that is, as much as may be deemed necessary. All cannot be scientists or philosophers but each should be educated according to his needs and deserts."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 ed., p. 108; in Lights of Guidance, no. 710)

(Criticism of) narrow-minded materialists is what was meant, not criticism of deistic philosophers, or even moderate materialistic philosophers who have been of service to mankind

"It is as thou hast written, not philosophers in general but narrow-minded materialists that are meant. As to deistic philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, they are indeed worthy of esteem and of the highest praise, for they have rendered distinguished services to mankind. In like manner we regard the materialistic, accomplished, moderate philosophers, who have been of service (to mankind)."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet to August Forel, p. 7)

Fruitless metaphysical hair-splitting and not philosophy in general is meant as sciences to be avoided that begin and end in words

"Philosophy, as you will study it and later teach it, is certainly not one of the sciences that begins and ends in words. Fruitless excursions into metaphysical hair-splitting is meant, not a sound branch of learning like philosophy.....

"As regards your own studies: he would advise you not to devote too much of your time to the abstract side of philosophy, but rather to approach it from a more historical angle. As to correlating philosophy with the Bahá'í teachings; this is a tremendous work which scholars in the future can undertake. We must remember that not only are all the teachings not yet translated into English, but they are not even all collected yet. Many important Tablets may still come to light which are at present owned privately."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 15 February 1947 to an individual believer, Unfolding Destiny, p. 445)

See also

• Usefulness

Branches of Philosophy

• Aesthetics
• Ethics
• Logic
• History of Philosophy (see also time-sequence)

See also

• Wikipedia:Philosophy (for the public article at Wikipedia)

To-dos for this page

• Add references for the Bahá'í perspective on philosophical issues