When philosophy is literally defined it means the love of wisdom. More broadly defined, philosophy is recognized as the knowledge capable of explaining all things by their ultimate causes. People who pursue wisdom through philosophy are called philosophers. A rich and natural habitat for philosophy can be found in the sister discipline of religion.
Philosophy was born and grew because our knowledge about self and the world increased. Knowledge became so vast that the human mind could not grasp its totality. The thousands of isolated facts that made up the body of knowledge began to replace the essence of wisdom, which is understanding. The gap between knowledge and understanding required a bridge, which became philosophy.
The philosopher not only attempts to describe certain facts and knowledge, but also uses and applies these facts and knowledge to life in general. This is how they arrive at the true worth and meaning of their efforts. Philosophers attempt to piece together all the various pieces of knowledge to make a more complete picture than there was previously.
The well known philosopher Aristotle described the ideal person as having the disposition to be of service to others, without the desire to be served. He states that to confer kindness is a mark of superiority. This person never feels malice and always forgives and forgets injuries. Nor does this person speak evil of others, unless it be directly to the person who commits such acts. Aristotle’s observations are essentially a broader definition of the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The Spiritualist Principle that is most like Aristotle’s description of the ideal individual is Principle 6, which the philosopher’s definition of the ideal person’s attributes are a deeper understanding of what the “highest morality” consists of.
We believe that the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Closely aligned with philosophy is the study of science. In fact, many philosophers are also scientists. The discovery of gravitation by Sir Isaac Newton precipitated the total commitment of science to the study of Natural Law. Gravity is the force that causes all objects to be pulled toward the center of the Earth and not to fly off the face of the planet. It’s also the force that determines the weight of physical things. Additionally, gravitational force even extends beyond the surface of the Earth to include all objects within its sphere of influence including the atmosphere, satellites, and the moon.
Natural Law is a constant order among the phenomena of nature, or simple statements of the orderly working of the universe and all that is in it.
To understand the full meaning of Natural Law, we must learn to apply it both to physical and spiritual.
Natural Law can be understood as a continuum in that it is the same law whether in the physical or spiritual realms of existence. Henry Drummond explained it well when he stated, “... [one] might see the great lines of religious truth as clearly and simply as the broad lines of science.” In other words, there is not a separate set of rules to govern the physical world and one to govern the spiritual. The rules are one and the same, thus is Natural Law. Henry Drummond’s interpretation of Natural Law can be summed up in the phrase, “As above, so below. As the universe, so the soul.” That which belongs to the spiritual realm becomes natural, and that which belongs to the natural becomes spiritual.
Some additional laws that are part of the greater body of Natural Law include the following:
The Law of Compensation is similar to the philosophy of Karma, in that we receive, sooner or later, exactly what we have earned for ourselves through our actions. If one renders service to others, the karma is good. If one does not, the karma is bad or needs further work. However, the Law of Compensation is usually used in a positive way where one is compensated for good works and efforts.
The Law of Continuity teaches us that there is no separation between physical and spiritual laws. The law covers the entire spectrum of being to include both matter and spirit.
The Law of Truth encompasses both the knowledge and understanding of right thinking, acting, and living. It encourages individuals to seek greater awareness and to know the truth in all things. It aids us in knowing right from wrong. This law is closely linked to the conscience of humans.
F.W.H. Myers discusses what he calls Cosmic Law.
Myers states that the three principles of Cosmic Law are uniformity, conservation, and evolution. All three operate under Natural Law, and all operations in the universe obey this unchanging law.
In addition to the thinking and reasoning capabilities of human beings is an unique characteristic known as self-consciousness, which indicates one is aware both of individuality and consciousness. It’s a distinction that one is separate from everyone and everything else in the universe. It gives each individual their uniqueness. Additionally, self-consciousness partnered with language make human beings distinctly superior to all other forms of organic life on Earth. It’s due to this distinction that mankind has both evolved and developed across the world to the magnitude that is present today.
Humanity is considered to have gone through three stages of intellectual growth throughout the ages.
The first stage is superstition and was indicative of a period when the gods were vast and attributed to all actions and forces of life. The majority of early humankind mixed intellectual quest with superstition, which is a practice that is still present today making this the longest phase of human intellectual growth. Superstition persisted until the intellectual growth of the individual began to surpass superstitious tendencies, which paved the way for science.
It’s generally accepted that the second stage, the age of science, began at the time of Copernicus, who dispelled the belief that the sun revolved around the Earth. Both mathematics and scientific reasoning replaced the dream and the supposition that the Earth was the center of the universe. As science advanced, the gods retreated from the skies.
Around the start of the 19th century, the third stage, the age of materialism, began when individuals discovered that the universe operated according to fixed laws. Reasoning, thinking individuals began to expand their understanding of all things, including their understanding of God.
One of the central issues throughout the intellectual growth and development of the individual has been the god concept. The god concept illustrates that in the nature of the individual is a need to believe in something greater than themselves, a larger-than-life being that could and would provide care in time of need. Perhaps the first god concept started with magic. However, the god concept most are familiar with today is the anthropomorphic god, or in the likeness of human beings.
As the mental and moral development of humanity continued, including distinct concepts of right and wrong, as well as reward and punishment, savior gods were introduced. For who better could “save” individuals from their personal struggles than a higher being with the power of intercession. The savior god led to the belief and worship of a single god, which is the concept of monotheism.
Because Spiritualism does not endorse the concept of an anthropomorphic god, many people often assume Spiritualists are atheists. However, the first Spiritualist principle repudiates such a claim as it states, We believe in Infinite Intelligence. It’s a belief in the existence of a purposeful, intelligent power immanent in and manifesting through the phenomena of nature both physical and spiritual.
Infinite Intelligence may be understood as an intelligence without any limits that far surpasses any concept or thought in the human mind. It’s an intelligence that cannot be defined by the finite understanding of mankind. And as stated above, it is a purposeful (and intelligent) power both seen and experienced in all the phenomena of nature both physical and spiritual.
People often ask, “How can I know God?” The answer lies not in sacred texts, or from a guru, nor solely in deep meditation. However, each of those pursuits may lead one in a direction to better know God. However, as stated in the second Spiritualist principle, one may come to a better understanding of God through all manifestations of the phenomena of nature both physical and spiritual. No limits. No boundaries. No one single way. Therefore, one can come to a better understanding of God through the experience of life.
Spiritualists believe it is confusing and inaccurate to attempt to define God. Why? It is impossible simply due to the fact that the finite mind cannot fully comprehend the infinite.
Major differences exist between the orthodox and the Spiritualist god concept. In the orthodox approach, the god concept is more personal and is regarded as an overseer of an individual’s entire material-spiritual existence, becoming both the final judge and decision maker in all things. Additionally, the orthodox views God in an anthropomorphic light with human attributes, personality, and actions akin to a king. God and humanity are linked in a personal relationship entirely dependent on the capricious will of its god. If one remains loyal to this god, then they are assured a place in a nebulous heaven, and if disloyal, an eternal damnation.
Consequently, in the Spiritualist approach, God is the constant, immutable force contained and expressed in all nature. God is a part of each of us, as we are a part of God. God is the perfection of nature, and the individual being is a part of this perfection, and given the opportunity to realize this perfection too. Any failure to attain self-realization is due to our own errors and is unrelated to punishment by a personal god. Spiritualism conceives God to be the Infinite Intelligence, the law of all nature, and the laws of God are constant, immutable, and ever present. Also, in Spiritualism the idea of God is not dogmatic. It leaves everyone the freedom to understand God in one’s own way. Spiritualism does not require everyone to think as the Spiritualist thinks. It’s god concept is both a light upon one’s journey and composed in the very essence of each individual.
Along with the god concept is the question of creation. Who or what created the universe?
Herbert Spencer’s hypotheses concerning the beginning of the universe included that it is either self-existent, self-created, or it was created by some external agency.
Science has its own theories on creation. One that is aligned to Spencer’s is that it is self-existent, or that it has always existed. Also aligned with Spencer’s thought is it’s self-created, also known as the Steady State universe, in that it had no moment of creation. Additionally, another theory that is very prevalent is the Big Bang. It suggests that between eight to thirteen billion years ago, a tremendous amount of matter was concentrated in an extremely small place resulting in a spectacular explosion and the universe was born. Lastly, the theory of evolution is generally accepted as the slow development over centuries of both the inorganic and organic. Once the formation of the sun and its accompanying planets was complete, the Earth prepared itself for life and thusly life appeared. Out of this auspicious beginning, life eventually evolved into the self-conscious being today known as the human being.
For Spiritualists, matter and energy are basic components of the physical world and creation. Spiritualism teaches that they are directed or motivated by a primal element, which is spirit. And spirit is, of course, part of Infinite Intelligence.
Reference: Morris Pratt Institute: Course on Modern Spiritualism, Lesson 6, Spiritualism as a Philosophy–Part 1
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