Q.

) Read extracts from Proverbs and Romans in the Bible and

Platos Republic - where he refers to the teachings of Socrates -
and/or commentaries on these texts from the internet, concerning
the definitions of justice the just man and true happiness.
With these texts in mind, what is the difference between religion
and philosophy? Base your arguments on specific teachings from
Solomon and Socrates, Paul and Plato in this regard.

Religion and Philosophy have been part of the few subjects that have captured interest for
both the past generations and present. These two subjects have received most attention from
renowned people in the field of literature and humanities. Notably is Solomon championing
Religion through his works from Ecclesiastes, Songs of Solomon and Proverbs. While on the
Philosophy we have seen Plato and Socrates dominating the subject as eluded in the book,
Platos Republic by Socrates. The following discussion will look at the differences between
Religion and Philosophy based on the teachings of Solomon and Socrates at the same time
looking into Paul and Platos work. One must understand the meaning of the words Religion
and Philosophy to fully understand the question. Religion comes from the Latin word ligare:
to join, or link, classically understood to mean the linking of human and divine and
Philosophy comes from the Greek word philosophia, literally "love of wisdom" is the
study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge,
values, reason, mind, and language. The term was probably coined by Pythagoras (c. 570 c.
495 BC). The main focus will be on Justice, Just Man and True Happiness.

To start, Justice is the legal or philosophical theory by which fairness is administered. The
concept of justice differs in every culture. An early theory of justice was set out by the
Ancient Greek philosopher Plato in his work The Republic. Religion includes the analyses
of religious concepts, beliefs, terms, arguments, and practices of religious adherents. From
the above definitions it is clear that the terms we are working with here are divergent both in
nature and meaning. This will be further elaborated in the argument below, which will also
show more evidence based on the teachings of authors at hand.
Justice according to Socrates would secure that each member of the society should perform
his duties and enjoy his rights. As a quality residing in each individual, justice would mean
his personal life was correspondingly ordered with respect to the rights and duties of each
part of his nature. This shows us that justice was personal however we learn that to Solomon
justice was for the righteous alone which brings us to a conclusion that Philosophy and
Religion are different as we ought to see that philosophically justice is internal and
religiously justice is divine.

Moving on, Justice is viewed as the interest of the stronger, Socrates sates that Justice is the
name given by the men actually holding power in any state to any actions they enjoy by law
upon their subjects and that all their laws are framed to promote their personal interests. From
the above statement it is noteworthy that justice is being used as a weapon of social injustices
upon the weaker. Nevertheless Solomon in his book of proverbs he states that by Justice
Kings give their country stability, this shows that to Solomon justice is a laudable thing
which brings about fairness and equality in a country through its use by Kings. This further
shows the distinction between Religion and Philosophy as these factors are parallel to each
other

Going further according to Plato he says that Justice brings happiness in ones life, he
explains this by saying happiness in its largest sense, welfare, well-being or doing well is a
very complex and one cannot readily describe it in detail all that goes to make it up, but does
it not necessarily say human soul, mans vital activity as a whole is in its best state or is
performing well the function it was made to perform. This depicts that justice brings
quietness in ones soul and it is the peak of a mans performance to his function on staying
with each other well. On the other side we see the differences between philosophy and
religion when Paul takes a radical view on this matter when he says that justice is a punitive
means by God to punish the unrighteous. It is clear from the above discussion that religiously
justice is to make the unjust suffer while philosophically justice makes one to attain
happiness.

Socrates states that Justice is Profitable, this is noted when Socrates says that one who praises
justice speaks truth ,he who disparages it does not know what it is he idly condemns, he has
no conception. Thus it is clear that justice is a virtue and it makes man behave ethically. This
shows that religion and philosophy are different as we see that Solomon in proverbs he says
that wicked man accept bribes to pervert the course of Justice, from this statement Solomon is
stating that those who accept bribes are bringing injustices in the society, therefore it is
understandable to say religion and philosophy are unalike as we see that philosophically
praising justice is a depiction of truthfulness while Solomon says perverting its course is
wickedness.

Moving on to the issue of The Just Man, a just man is a man who does right, Socrates likens a
just man to a person who is well, this is shown when he says that nothing is pleasanter than to
be well though they never knew it until they were ill. And people in great pain will tell you
that relief from pain is the greatest pleasure in the world. This idiom consequently depicts
being a just man is the greatest thing a man can do. Thus being a just man is equally to being
well be it state of mind health or wealth. However Solomon depicts just man as someone who
punishes those who are wicked and gives justice to the innocent, this is shown when he says
it is not good to be partial to the wicked and deprive the innocent justice. To Socrates a just
man does right, to Solomon a just man punishes the weak and give justice to the innocent.
Which shows us the differences between religion and philosophy.to this end these two factor
are divergent in every way.

To Plato a just man is the one who is temperate by reason, he is no internal conflict, and he is
brave in virtue. A just man enjoys ruling himself hence performing his proper function. By
observing this principle man are ought to be just. From this we notice that philosophically a
just man exists and he controls his activities, nonetheless Paul in the book of Roman beg to
differ when he says a righteous man does not exist at all, we ought to see that religion and
philosophy are parallel as both disciplines tend to never meet in any way. To this end justice
and philosophy are different from each other.

Furthermore, Socrates says that the just man does not allow the several elements in his soul to
usurp one anothers functions; he is indeed the one who sets his house in order, by self-
mastery and discipline coming to be at peace with himself. He also will be ready to go about
whatever he may have to do, whether it be making money and satisfying bodily wants or
business transactions or affairs of the state. Thus from this description by Socrates one can
note that a just man is the one who upholds good things. On the other hand Solomon tends to
give a different view of a just man when he says a Just man seeks the Lord. This shows how
distinct Religion is to Philosophy, to Socrates a just man fulfils his own wishes and to
Solomon a just man seeks the face of the Lord.
To Socrates a just man receives a good reward in life due to his diligent doing in his affairs,
this is noted when he states that when the just are advanced in years they will hold positions
of authority in their own country if they so desire; ally themselves in marriage to any family
they choose and so forth. This shows that justice never defrauds its possessor of the blessings
that come of being really just. To this end we see Socrates pondering on the after effects of
being a just man and we notice that a measure is rewarded to every just man. This analysis
brings about the similarities of religion and philosophy as we see Solomon complementing
this idea when he says in Proverbs that the righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their
children after them. We see a reward here as well which is going to be blessings bestowed
upon the children of a just man. To this end it is clear that Religion and Justice are the same
as supported by the analysis above.

Moving on, to the teaching of true happiness, before we embark on deliberations of this topic
one must understand the meaning of True Happiness. True Happiness according to Wikipedia
is the degree of being at peace internally and emotionally. Plato asserts that those who are
moral are the only ones who may be truly happy. Thus, one must understand the cardinal
virtues, particularly justice to be happy. From this notion one can see that morality makes one
enjoy the fruits of happiness and by morality Plato meant paying attention to Justice.
However in the book of Romans we ought to see Paul giving another different view of
happiness when is says that we rejoice in suffering, which shows the difference between
Religion and Philosophy as to Plato happiness is a result of being just and to Paul its a result
of suffering.

On the same point, Plato comes to the conclusion that one who abuses power enslaves
himself to his appetites, while the man who chooses not to remains rationally in control of
himself, and therefore is happy. Plato here is saying the same point as above but he pays
more attention to Power, this reminds one of Lord Actons words power corrupts and
absolute power corrupts absolutely thus a man to be happy he should have limits of how he
exercises power as well as to live with others happily and to Paul in Romans says, I hereby
make to know, that I, as apostle of the Gentiles, for the conversion of the Jews will have the
happiest consequence. Thus to Paul happiness is doing his job as well as an Apostle to make
converts, to this end it can be said that Religion and Philosophy are alike as we see both
phenomena sees happiness as a result of someone performing his duties intelligently and
without harming others.to this end these two phenomena go hand in hand.
Furthermore, Socrates says that the idea of the city will facilitate Happiness of the to
everyone not to individuals. This shows that Socrates idea encompasses everyones needs
not just for the few and this gives us a view that through Philosophy happiness is for
everyone. Nevertheless to Solomon happiness is only for those who promote peace alone
which in any way increases the unjust activities within a society to this it can be noted that
Religion and Philosophy are very different from each other as to Religion happiness is for the
few and to philosophy its for everyone in the city.

Elaborating further on happiness Paul views happiness that comes from suffering. In the book
of Romans he gives us ways for finding joy in suffering. Paul tells us that if we follow Christ,
our bad things turn out for good, our good things cannot be lost, and our best things are yet to
come. These are the reasons for our joy and if we hope in the Lord he will deliver us
happiness. However through Philosophy Plato say happiness comes from doing unjust
practices to those who are just, from this statement it can be noted that religion and
Philosophy are different from each other because through Religion Paul says sufferings
brings joy which is happiness and Plato says the unjust get happiness from performing unjust
activities hence the difference. To this end it is a laymen ideology to say that Religion and
Philosophy are the same as the evidence shown above is clearly showing that these
phenomena are different.

Furthermore some similarities between Philosophy and Religion can be noted through the
teaching of happiness. Socrates asserts that a man who makes everything that leads to
Happiness depends upon himself and not upon other man has adopted the very best plain for
living happily. Thus showing that happiness is within ones soul. Adding to Solomon
happiness is in the heart showing that happiness is a crucial part of the body as man carries
with it everywhere they go. Interestingly both Socrates and Solomon agree on this notion
which asserts how similar philosophy and Religion are.

In conclusion, the above argument has managed to point both the differences and the
similarities of Religion and Philosophy. The discussion as also managed to identify all the
three teachings of Justice, Just Man and True Happiness in relation to the works of Socrates
and Solomon and Plato and Paul respectively. These three teachings have been defined and
elaborated upon with use of evidence from various texts. This has also helped the scholar to
come up with chronological flow of ideas that try by all means to show the divergence
between the two phenomena at hand. And to this end the scholar will agree with the motion
that truly Religion and Philosophy are different and parallel to each other. However to come
up with a balanced argument the scholar also looked at the similarities though not as much as
the differences.