Philosophy and Faith

If philosophy is the search for truth, then it is only logical that philosophy is searching for something other than itself. Philosophy as a search by definition seems to suggest that the answers it desires lie somewhere outside of its discipline. However, many philosophers have come to conclude that philosophy is the ultimate source of truth. This is particularly true in the West, where many limit their l capacity for inquisitive thought because logic is perceived as the pinnacle. Many assume that if philosophy does not have the answer, the question is either illogical or an adequate time frame for philosophical exploration has yet to elapse before philosophy can render an answer that fully addresses the problem. This perspective seems to ignore the fact that the discipline of philosophy was created by man, and is, therefore, finite. To assume philosophy itself contains ultimate truth, or will at least evolve to encapsulate it, almost gives philosophy a life of its own, even to the point of deification.

The assumption that the answers to ultimate truth lie within philosophy is illogical since philosophy as a discipline has a beginning. Philosophy is a finite entity, and a finite discipline can not hold ultimate answers. Only that which is eternal can offer answers intrinsically. The questions of life existed before the discipline of philosophy developed. Thus, if the answers existed at the origin of the questions, philosophy could not have contained them. A true philosopher will utilize philosophy to scrutinize different ideas and to see if they can lead to answers. These ideas are not philosophy themselves but can be subjected to philosophical scrutiny. Therefore, no philosopher should exclude faith from the start, but should be open to the possibility that philosophy's natural conclusion is faith.