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. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/religio-philosophical-meanderings-regurgitations/d/130514 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