Teleology is a doctrine that is based on a whole complex of philosophical disciplines. Through the latter, the essence of God as a single creator is studied, the hidden essence of his words and actions is determined. Teleology in philosophy is also a set of definitions that explain what kind of work people should do on themselves in order to get as close as possible to the knowledge of religious meaning.
The origin of teleology
Teleology is a set of provisions that were used to explain the structure of the world around us in the mythology and
philosophy of ancient Greece. Aristotle himself was engaged in the development of the doctrine.
In the 17th century, teaching began to gravitate toward the use of chemical and physical knowledge to determine the true divine essence. But as practice has shown, such an approach has been ineffective for explaining some things related to the issue of human origin, some natural phenomena and processes that occur in society.
For teleologists, faith has long been a global truth that does not need substantiation. However, this teaching continues to use the methods of other sciences, in particular philosophy and logic. Thus, teleologists formed a whole system of objective, in their opinion, arguments that are used to reinforce religious norms, to combat alternative false teachings and opinions that are considered heretical by believers.
What is the difference between teleology and philosophy?
Philosophical teachings allow some variability of thoughts in relation to the same problem. Teleology in philosophy is more likely an assumption that God really exists. In the study of the issue, thought can develop both in one and in the opposite direction.
Teleology itself in its true manifestation is a more dogmatic teaching. Here, the truth is initially accepted that God exists. Moreover, such a dogma is beyond doubt. That is, in the process of comprehending the doctrine, a person is maximally involved in his position.
Religious studies and teleology - defining differences
As you can see, teleology is, by and large, the science of God and the search for questions about the appropriateness of being without a higher creator. In this case, how does it differ from the same religious studies?
It is worth noting that religious scholars analyze all kinds of divine teachings. First of all, they consider things related to God as a cultural phenomenon. All this is studied in the context of historical events. On the contrary, teleologists study only the dialogue that is conducted between God and man, according to information from sacred treatises.
Studying teleology in higher education
In 2015, the government of our country adopted a resolution on the introduction of teleology in the general educational program of universities. Later it was decided that the introduction of such departments in institutes and universities will occur exclusively on a voluntary basis.
Teleology is a science that is being studied today in special, narrowly targeted educational institutions, in particular, places where clergy are trained. As of today, the introduction of such programs in universities seems difficult due to the lack of a sufficient number of qualified teachers, literature and methodological tools.
What is an ontology?
This concept was first introduced by the philosopher Goklenius in the treatise "Philosophical Lexicon", which was written in 1613. Ontology in philosophy is a doctrine that seeks to define all that exists as such. Ancient Greek philosophers Plato, Heraclitus, and Parmenides partially dealt with the questions that ontology studies.
The specificity of the presented doctrine is the desire to consider the problems of being, the features of the functioning of all things and processes that affect a person’s life. The indicated tasks were resolved differently in separate historical periods:
- In antiquity, ontology in philosophy is, first of all, a search for the initials, both material and spiritual, from which all that exists.
- In the medieval period, ontology already tried to consider the super-being of being. In other words, medieval philosophers believed that the existence of the laws of nature and man is impossible without a higher creator.
- In modern times, ontological doctrine has shifted towards the search for ways to obtain scientific knowledge to explain everything. However, the central pillar of science was still God.
Finally
As you can see, teleology, along with ontology, is a doctrine of the expediency of being. The dogmas here are based on the study of the words of a single creator. God is seen as the beginning, alpha and omega, as well as the end of everything.
The one creator in teleology is not invisible cosmic energy. God is presented here as an omnipotent being endowed with will and reason. Through it, truth is revealed to man, the nature of everything. The study of teleology involves not only a search for the essence of the world, but also the knowledge of the creator, his glorification, the development of a sense of obedience.
The doctrine considers the world as a rather painful place, filled with a whole mass of troubles and disappointments. Proceeding from this, rejecting teleology, a person condemns himself to suffering without awareness of a specific direction in life. According to the apologists of the doctrine, without teleology, we waste our lives, and at the end we lose our souls.