Abstract

The goal of this project is to explore humanity's relationship to the Divine through the lens of sacred narratives. Through this research, I wish to answer four questions: What is Divinity? How do we come to know the Divine? What is our relationship to Divinity? What is the role of narrative in humanity’s relationship to the Divine? Through textual analysis and ethnographic research conducted in northern India, I will explore sacred narratives and storied places which speak to the intimate connection humans form with Divine beings.

First, this paper unpacks the state of Comparative Philosophy of Religion in “Western” academia. I address some of the pervasive assumptions present in both the field of Religious Studies and Philosophy on the issue of commensurability of different religious traditions before suggesting a new approach to Comparative Philosophy of Religion.

I then examine sacred narratives from Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian traditions which depict humanity’s relationship to Divinity. The goal of these chapters is to extrapolate the philosophical content of such stories regarding the concept of Divinity and Divine relationships. This will culminate in chapter 5 which argues that Divinity is a loving relationship and is therefore experientially relevant rather than metaphysically relevant.

In the final section, I argue that stories depicting humanity’s relationship to the Divine offer not only philosophical insight into said relationship, but also serve as an avenue directly into Divine relationships. Through the fieldwork conducted in northern India, I aim to understand the lived experiences of people who relate to such narratives and the practices they enact to form a connection with the Divine.

Advisor

Graham, Kevin

Second Advisor

Schiltz, Elizabeth

Department

Philosophy; Religious Studies

Disciplines

Buddhist Studies | Christianity | Comparative Philosophy | Hindu Studies | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Publication Date

2023

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2023 Kevin Douglas Poe