Reject All Religio-Philosophical Meanderings and Regurgitations
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
24 August
2023
“Reading the Socratic dialogues, one has the
feeling: what a frightful waste of time! What's the point of these arguments
that prove nothing and clarify nothing?”
― Ludwig Wittgenstein, Culture and Value
Milan
Kundera extended Wittgenstein's observation to encompass all that's seemingly
profound but ultimately useless. Before discussing this subject, it's necessary
to know that modern scholars and philosophers have called Socratic dialogues as
the most meandering and turbid regurgitations of practically zero value!
Socrates indulged in sophistry which is always inconclusive and byzantine.
Lexicons
define 'sophistry' as misleading arguments. So, one of the greatest minds of
ancient Greece stands exposed. The same is being said about the treatises of
Adi Shankara, Madhavacharya, Vachaspati Mishra, Subhuti, Nagarjuna (the founder
of Middle Path in Buddhism), Thomas Aquinas, Al-Ghazali, to name but a few.
Islamic
exegete Al-Ghazali is now called a muddle-headed Mufassir (an author of
a Tafsir or exegesis, esp. of the Quran). The point is: As knowledge
expands and wisdom dawns, many things and individuals thought to be considered
sacrosanct and unquestionable, may fail to prove their mettle and wisdom on the
anvil of time.
Such modern
insights must be applicable to all the so-called holy books, tenets, customs
and rituals.
Once a
Buddhist monk Agnimtra was writing a treatise. He almost completed it. Only a
couple of pages were left. It was a very profound work because whoever he
discussed the contents with, admired wholeheartedly. It was a work of
exceptional erudition. Before completing the book, he thought of having a
snooze. The moment he woke up after his forty winks, he tore the book!
"What did you do? You tore your lifetime work," yelled a fellow
disciple."
The book
explained 14 Sutras of Buddhism. I realized that I made quite a few mistakes in
my explanations and analyses. Lest my error-ridden book should become a
guidebook to the scholars to come and waste their precious time, I thought of
tearing it myself," Agnimitra said calmly, gave away the idol of Buddha to
someone and left Buddhism forever.
The
realization that such religio-philosophical treatises are all humbugs is very
important. No such book, argument or tenet must become a fixed and stubborn
rule for a group of people. So, it's imperative to keep reviewing all religious
treatises and philosophies. We must have the courage to declare that all this
Advait/ Vishist Advait, Trinity, Muhammad's ascension to heaven on his horse
etc. are theological Double Dutch that will amount to nothing. They don't even
provide a morsel to a famished man. Scrutinize every person and review every
book periodically. That's the key to an ever-awakened existence.
----
A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in
comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed
articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including
Persian.
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism