Class 12 Logic & Philosophy Chapter 8 Religion
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Selected Questions & Answers
A. Very Short Answer Questions: (Marks for each – 1)
1. From which Latin word is the term ‘Religion’ derived? H.S. ’18
Ans: From the Latin word ‘Religare.’
2. What is the meaning of the word ‘Religare’? H.S. ’13, ’15, ’20
Ans: Bondage, that which binds.
3. From which Sanskrit root is the word ‘Dharma’ derived? H.S. ’17, ’19
Ans: From the root ‘Dhr’ (dhri).
4. Do you believe that religion is an end in itself?
Ans: Yes.
5. Do you accept the statement ‘Religion shapes morality’?
Ans: Yes.
6. Who said, ‘Religion is the recognition of all our duties as divine commands”?
Ans: Immanuel Kant.
7. According to which philosopher, “Religion is the self’s knowledgeof itself as the Absolute Spirit”?
Ans: Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
8. Write any one similarity between religion and morality.
Ans: Both religion and morality are human-centered.
9. Is religion the source of morality?
Ans: No.
10. Through what means are religious emotions expressed? H.S. ’15
Ans: Through social activities and institutions such as monasteries, temples, and mosques.
11. Is religion a matter of knowledge?
Ans: Yes.
12. Is religion possible without morality?
Ans: No.
13. Who said, “Thought and being are ultimately identical”?
Ans: Alexander Bain.
14. Does religion have a psychological element?
Ans: Yes.
15. What are the two aspects of religion?
Ans: The two aspects of religion are social and ritualistic.
16. Who said, ‘Religion is morality touched with emotion’?
Ans: Matthew Arnold.
B. Short Questions and Answers: (Marks for each – 2)
1. What is the etymological meaning of Religion?
Ans: The word ‘Dharma’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Dhri,’ whichmeans ‘to hold’ or ‘to sustain.’ That which sustains or upholds is called Dharma. Thus, that which protects and upholds human beings is called Religion.
2. Write the definition of Religion given by Matthew Arnold.
Ans: According to Matthew Arnold, “Religion is morality touched with emotion.”
3. What are the elements associated with Religion?
Ans: The elements associated with Religion are four:
(1) Belief
(2) Mystical thought
(3) Emotion and feeling
4. Mention two differences between Religion and Morality. H.S. ’12, ’16
Ans: Two differences between Religion and Morality are:
(1) Religion is God-centered, whereas Morality is human-centered.
(2) Religion is an emotion-oriented experience, whereas Morality isemotion-free conduct.
5. Explain the etymological meanings of the following terms. H.S. ’14, ’16
(a) Religion
(b) Dharma
Ans:
(a) The term ‘Religion’ is etymologically derived from the Latin word’Religare,’ which means ‘to bind firmly.’
(b) The word ‘Dharma’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Dhri,’ meaning’to sustain’ or ‘to hold.’ Thus, that which sustains is called Dharma.
6. “Religion is the recognition of all our duties as divine commands.”Who gave this definition? Mention one defect of this definition. H.S. ’15, ’16
Ans: This definition was given by Immanuel Kant. One defect of this definition is that it does not give importance to humanemotions and feelings.
7. Mention any two characteristics of Religion. H.S. ’14
Ans: Two characteristics of Religion are:
(1) Religion believes in a higher supernatural power.
(2) Religion is associated with human emotions and feelings.
8. “Religion is a kind of emotion which believes that there is aharmony between man and the world.” Who gave this definition? Mention one defect of this definition. H.S. ’14
Ans: This definition was given by J. M. E. McTaggart. One defect of this definition is that it emphasizes only the emotional aspect of Religion and neglects the practical and ritualistic aspects
C. Medium Length Questions &Answers: (Marks for each – 4)
1. Write and criticise the definition of Religion given by Hegel.
Ans: According to Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, “Religion is theknowledge of the Divine Spirit through the finite spirit.” In Hegel’s definition, the complexity of Religion is clearly reflected. According to this view, it is not an easy task for the finite human spirit to attain knowledge of the infinite Divine Spirit. Hegel has given excessiveimportance to the intellectual aspect of Religion while neglecting the elements of will and emotion in human nature. Moreover, the social rituals and practicesassociated with Religion are not adequately reflected in his definition.
2. Explain the statement, ‘Morality leads to Religion.’
Ans: According to philosophers such as James Martineau and Immanuel Kant, Religion is subsequent to Morality and Morality is the source ofReligion. Kant held that behind this world there operates a moral power whichconnects happiness with virtuous conduct and suffering with immoral conduct. Thus, reward for good actions and punishment for bad actions are determinedby this moral order. Even if such reward and punishment are not realised inthis life, the human soul must experience them in another life. According to them, since this moral power is supreme, Religion hasoriginated from it. They argue that the idea of God arises from the sense ofmoral obligation. Therefore, there is no clear contradiction between Religionand Morality. Many moral principles are found within Religion. Hence, it may be said that Morality leads towards Religion.
3. Write four similarities between Religion and Morality. H.S. ’14, ’17, ’18
Ans: The similarities between Religion and Morality are:
(1) Both Religion and Morality aim at making human life noble andvirtuous.
(2) Both believe in the immortality of the soul.
(3) Both accept the concept of an ultimate truth.
(4) Both are associated with ideas such as sin and virtue, justice andinjustice, good and bad, right and wrong.
4. Give the definition of Religion offered by Flint. H.S. ’12
Ans: According to Robert Flint, “Religion is belief in one or more beingssuperior to man, endowed with power and not indifferent to human feelingsand actions, and with whom human conduct and emotions are connected.”
D. Essay Type Questions and Answers: (Marks for each – 6)
5. Define Religion and discuss its characteristics. H.S. ’20
Or
What do you understand by Religion? Which is the most satisfactorydefinition of Religion? Explain two characteristics. H.S. ’19
Or
Mention four characteristics of Religion. H.S. ’13, ’17, ’19
Ans: Religion means belief in a supreme supernatural power. It is difficult to give a universally accepted definition of Religion; therefore, different scholars have defined it in different ways. According to Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, “Religion is the knowledgeof the Divine Spirit through the finite spirit.” According to Edward Burnett Tylor, “Religion is belief in spiritual beings.” This definition is not fully satisfactory because it does not clearlyexplain the nature of spiritual beings. According to Friedrich Schleiermacher, “Religion is a feeling of absolute dependence on God.” According to Immanuel Kant, “Religion is the recognition of all our dutiesas divine commands.” According to J. M. E. McTaggart, “Religion is a kind of emotion whichbelieves that there is a harmony between man and the world.” According to Matthew Arnold, “Religion is morality touched with emotion.” According to James George Frazer, “Religion is belief in a higher powerwhich directs and controls the course of human life and which must bepropitiated.” According to James Martineau, “Religion is belief in an ever-living Godwho governs the world by a divine mind and will and seeks to establish amoral relationship with human beings.” From the above definitions it is clear that Religion is related to atranscendent reality, and around that supernatural power human beliefs andpractices are formed. Though definitions vary, Religion has certain commoncharacteristics:
(1) Religion involves belief in a higher supernatural power.
(2) Religion is associated with human emotions and feelings.
(3) Religion has an external aspect, including rituals and ceremonies.
(4) Religion is connected with the belief in mental peace, spiritual welfare, and self-realisation.
6. Discuss the relation between Religion and Morality.
Or
Write about the differences between Religion and Morality. H.S. ’13
Ans: There is a close relation between Religion and Morality. Religionbelieves in a supernatural supreme power and discusses the relation between the human soul and God or the Absolute. Morality, on the other hand, evaluatesthe moral worth of human character and conduct.
The differences between Religion and Morality are as follows:
(1) Religion is God-centered, whereas Morality is human-centered.
(2) Religion is an emotion-based experience, whereas Morality is rational conduct.
(3) Religion is primarily a matter of faith of the soul, whereas Morality isbased on freedom of will.
(4) Religion is related to the supernatural Absolute, whereas Morality isnot necessarily connected with such a supernatural being.
(5) Religion may involve faith beyond reason, whereas Morality is basedon rational principles.
(6) Religion discusses truth and beauty along with human welfare, whereasMorality mainly deals with social welfare. Despite these differences, Religion and Morality are deeply connectedand interdependent, as both are concerned with human welfare.
7. Explain the statement, “Morality is the source of Religion.” H.S. ’15, ’16
Ans: It is often said that Morality is the source of Religion. Philosopherssuch as Immanuel Kant, James Martineau and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel accepted Morality as the source of Religion. The arguments are as follows:
(1) According to Kant, the moral law within us points to the existence ofGod. The moral order connects happiness with virtue and suffering with vice. From this moral principle Religion originates.
(2) According to Martineau, the idea of God arises from the sense of moral obligation and responsibility.
(3) No religion supports immoral conduct; therefore, Religion is rooted inmoral principles.
(4) In the modern age, religious principles are judged from the standpoint of morality. Any religious rule without moral value is not acceptable to society. Therefore, it may be concluded that Morality is the source of Religion.
