Dostoevsky: The Existance of God

Voltaire He provided a series of strong and reasonable arguments that his opponents couldn’t deny. He wanted to sway people by touching their hearts. This indicated that Voltaire viewed God as a source of inspiration not faith or blind believe. “To find out God, I only require you to make one effort, - to open your eyes.” Voltaire believed that God must be understood utilizing one’s common sense and reasoning. He thought that it was possible to acknowledge the existence of God by observing. Voltaire continuously proved his point of view by utilizing science. Voltaire used a highly admirable and newly invented machine that imitated the solar system to prove the existence of God, “If the copy indicates genius, how much more must there be in original?” This statement alone silenced, if not convinced, Voltaire’s audience. Voltaire argued his opposition’s view that, “God is the source of all evil”. It was through analytical questions that Voltaire was able to prove the opposite, “God revealed his law to human by giving them a conscience.” What humans did with their conscience was up to them, not to

As Tillich clams “Being religious means asking passionately the question of the meaning of our existence and being willing to receive answers, even if the answers hurt”. The twentieth century philosopher and theologian, Paul Tillich argues that religion differentiates from the concept of what theologians and scientist have asserting as true. He says religion gives a key to “ultimate concern” which contributes to holy. However, Rudolph Otto, another German theologians and philosopher of his time, has a different statement about the religion and “God”. He sees religion as a rational essence. Yet both agree that religion is not dogma, on the other hand, is rational, their concept of understanding varies from each other.

Religion is constructed on faith and belief of an individual even though it is the individual choice to follow it or not. It has stirred a lot of debates for years; those who are trying to prove that God exists throughout history and follow to modern day. While, those who are atheist are trying to prove their point of God does not exist. There are still more and more theories and debate over the subject of religious view. It is a matter of theism versus atheism; new and old philosophers have joined the debate and all with different sides to another philosopher’s theory or view on the matter. In this paper, I will attempt to illustrate the reasons given by Louis Pojman of why religion is good or bad, as well as evaluating Bertrand Russell argument about religion. This can define the meaning of life and the creation of life as we know it. It can change views or switch sides for there is always another explanation to exactly what religion is all about and having a superior ruler that created all.

That’s why he believes that there is a creator of God, but that this Good had no further impact besides just creation. He was extremely skeptic, he distrusted everything without facts. He believes that organized religion was just a way for leaders to gain wealth. He was skeptic about induvial churches and stated that they were not a true religious authority. While Voltaire differed other philosophers on these religious arguments but focused on rationality and toleration. He knew that we all equal beings because we command our own, minds, hearts and bodies. Lessing another Enlightenment philosopher thought about if in a different

Dostoevsky did not specifically express belief nor disbelief in God. According to Philosophy in Russia, “Dostoevsky has been represented as a firm believer in God, whereas in a letter he said plainly that the existence of God was the principal question or problem which had tormented him throughout his life” (Copleston 163). Dostoevsky’s hesitant viewpoint also became present in his novel through his characters. For example, he characterized Raskolnikov with a similar unestablished faith, claiming on page 271 that “Perhaps God does not exist.” Raskolnikov struggles internally with guilt and shame that he questions his own beliefs. He speaks with Sonya shortly later, and confesses his belief to her that ‘Lord, I believe that thou art the Son of God, which should come into the world.” (Dostoevsky 276). Raskolnikov begins to have a change of heart about his faith once he is able to confess to another person and trust Sonya. Dostoevsky also incorporated his ideas of philosophy with the ideas of theology. He believed that people should be allowed to choose their religious preferences and faith. On the other hand, Dunya was presented as very devoted to a specific belief in God. She trusted God and used her faith as a form of reassurance when she stated “It was God himself who sent that man to us, although he comes straight from some drinking bout. I am sure we can rely on him” (Dostoevsky 172). Although she knows Raskolnikov is unreliable and irresponsible, she uses God as her source of certainty. Dostoevsky gives his characters the freedom to establish their own outlooks while expressing his belief in existentialism. Some of his characters are heavily devoted, while others are erratic with their position, reflecting Dostoevsky's beliefs in character

The belief in Gods has always existed throughout human’s recored history. Whether it be the Greek Gods: Apollo, and Zeus, or the Judeo-Christian God, believed by Christians in modern day society. The belief of God has always existed among humans, however, assuming God does not exist, what explains the cultural evolution of such a false belief, namely religion? I shall argue that the reason this false belief is successful is because it manipulates human nature better than any other belief by these three points: an avoidance of death (the soul), a sense of worth (knowledge), and a sense, or need of belief (faith).

In 1880 he finished his novel, The Brothers Karamazov, which opened many discussions on ethics and the nature of God. He dug into the difficult topic of human suffering under a perfect God. He seemed to be responding to the idea that suffering brought harmony to universe, claiming that joy would not be true joy if it there was not suffering as well. Dostoevsky seemed to accept the notion that adults’ suffering is just because they often choose evil things which brings suffering on them. On the other hand, he argued, children’s suffering should not be called just because they are incapable of choosing evil. I agree with this argument in arguing against divine harmony being the reason for human suffering, but I would say that even most adults do not deserve many of the afflictions they receive. The problem is that Dostoevsky implies that this is a reason to rebel against God here he makes an appeal to ignorance fallacy. He is saying that because we do not know why children suffer under a perfect God means there must not be a logical explanation. So in the end, Dostoevsky does give a reason to question the divine harmony argument, but does not give us reason to question the justice of God. This pulls philosophers back to the drawing board to solve the problem of human

In Christ, according to Dostoevsky is a place

Alyosha has a conversation with his brother Dmitri when he visits his brother in jail. Dmitri believes that God exists. He states that men cannot live and God cannot exist without joy, because God’s gift to humanity is joy. He claims that man cannot exist in prison without God, and that it is stupid to believe that man can love humanity without God.

Throughout history, a wide variety of differing cultures and religions have developed and created a unique way of life for the people that practice them. One in particular is a Japanese tradition, specifically Shintoism. The primary belief is that its followers must pray to the gods or their ancestors in times of trouble in order to reach their own personal fulfillments. This religion demonstrates how god “assists” those who ask for help, or in other words, gives them some sense of hope during rough times. A statement about religion that relates to this is Ludwig Feuerbach definition of religion, “God, I have said, is the fulfiller, or the reality, of the human desires for happiness, perfection, and immortality.” By including this quote it develops a comparison between Shintoism belief and Feuerbach’s definition. Both which provide a deeper understanding of religions today.

Continuously Religion has partaken and will constantly stay essential in our lives, whether we whole heartily have great faith in it or we do not. Yet, what exactly is Religion? Religion is having the certainly in a God or in a group of Gods. As well as, a structured system that takes into account strict beliefs, rituals, and guidelines that must be followed. In addition, carried out to worship a God or a group of Gods who are idolized. Today across the world there is nearly 4,200 Religions which are present. They include Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, and many more. Religions followers who remain dedicated to the Christian and Catholic faith are identified for following one God. In an Article called Incommensurability, Incomparability,

Russian author and philosopher, Fyodor Dostoevsky, was best known for his literary contributions between 1866 and 1880. Of his substantial work, Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, The Devils, and The Brothers Karamazov are the novels he remains most recognized for. In each of these novels, Dostoevsky examines and interprets several social, physical, mental, and emotional situations and conditions, which he believed to, influenced the nature of humanity. His theories concerning the causes and effects of these situations are evident throughout each of his works in a clear and precise manner. Despite the fourteen-year gap between the first of his novels, Crime and Punishment, and the last, The Brothers Karamazov, the parallel thematic elements in Dostoevsky's writings remained constant. The themes that exist in both these novels are alike and undeniably characteristic of Dostoevsky. Both The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment contain consistent central themes including the incentives and psychological consequences of murder, the suffering of children and the groundwork of that suffering, and the effects of the influence and manipulation of money. Furthermore, Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov also represent the theories of philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin, in regards to his interpretation of Dostoevsky's works as "polyphonic novels," which are novels that contain multiple voices to incorporate a diversity of points of views.

“Nothing has ever been more insupportable for a man and a human society than freedom.” –The Grand Inquisitor” “Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.” - Father Zosima. These two quotes voice the polarized philosophies that impregnate the book, The Brothers Karamazov. Ivan, the second of the three sons, and Zosima, the old monk, are huge commentators on the question, “Is the burden of free will to much for a human to bear?”

Feuerbach believes that religion has it’s built in destruction and that it will give way to humans being able to believe in our own capabilities. He writes,"If man is to find contentment in God, he must find himself in God." (The Essence of Christianity). Religion is humanity’s consciousness of themselves as beings and therefore humans are God. When Feuerbach says “religion is the alienation of man from

The incorporation of religion in literature can send many different messages to the audience depending on what message the author specifically wants to convey. In the novel Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky’s Christian influence is incorporated into the main themes: crime, violence, and love. Within these themes, Dostoevsky’s religious ideas are showcased within the characters different sets of morality throughout the novel.