Plato’s Views on Religion and the Supernatural (Essay Sample)

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Philosophical Argument on the Supernatural or Religious Believes
Introduction
Does God exist? Is the supernatural real or is it just a fragment of one’s imagination? The topic on religion and the supernatural is one of the most divisive topics in the history of mankind. On one hand, some people believe in the existence of a supernatural deity while on the other hand, some hold the notion that he does not exist. Philosophers have also tried to have their say in this topic and one of such philosophers is Jean-Paul Sartre who believes in radical human freedom and nature but not in religion. His views on religion have been reduced to a variation of atheism. Growing up, Sartre’s family viewed religion as a means to gain respectability in society rather than with commitment and belief. In his adulthood, he took a great stand against religion and went to the extent of referring to it as a fact that should be avoided (Charme 1). He further asserts that if there was a God, then man has no free will and is merely an artifact being used by God. He holds that in order to be free and dignified, humans require atheism. His beliefs are rooted in the idea of human responsibility. He argues that, when people believe in God, they shift responsibilities and in the wake of a terrible tragedy, instead of taking responsibility, people blame God. Sartre is not alone in his views. He views were shared by fellow philosopher Lucretius who was branded an enemy of religion by the early Christians (“Lucretius”). He believed that religion was oppressive and the cause of hardship and therefore chose not to believe in anything supernatural. He held the belief that there was no life after death, therefore; there was no need for fear. These two philosophers have the freedom to express their beliefs which in this case deviate from the traditional religious and supernatural mentality. However, one philosopher’s whose views may not agree with these two philosophers is Plato who is believed to have influenced the structure of theology in Christianity. He was more of a supernaturalist than a naturalist. His views bear a lot of weight on modern religion.
Plato’s Views on Religion and the Supernatural
Plato is considered the father of philosophy. His most famous works is in the form of