I am writing this thread as a response to @
@180Proof in a discussion of the Buddhist concept of the Middle Way. He queries the relationship between religion and philosophy. I am extremely interested in this relationship and whether religion was central in this, or a later development. I am writing this thread because it seems outside of the scope of the idea of Buddhist ethics.

Also, I am reading Karen Armstrong's , ' The Great Transformation: The World in the Time of Buddha, Socrates, Confusiaa and Jeremiah', (2006). She looks at the time between 800 and 300 BC in thinking about religious ideas. She also explores of Socrates, Buddha, Confucius and Jeremiah, as aspects of religious beliefs.In.addition, she looks at Karl Jaspers' idea of the axial age in thinking of belief, especially religious belief. The idea of 'God' or 'divinity' encompasses the issue of inner and outer 'reality', subjectivity and objectivity. It also encompasses idea of mythology and story as narrative understanding. This may be opposed to some perspectives of science and objectivity.


I am of the view that inner as opposed to outer, objective aspects of 'reality' are important here in the tradition of human understanding. Science, similarly to religion may be embedded in mythic understanding. What do you think, especially in relation to the concept of myth?.As far as I see it is a topic involving dialogue between ancient philosophy, as well as anthropological thinking and research. How may the development of ideas about 'gods' or one God be understood in the history of religion and philosophy?.