Philosophy and Religion
What's Inside
Introduction
“Philosophy and Religion” is one of the most important themes in historical research. Here, the term refers to a wide range of (at times) interrelated phenomena: from some of the most influential political philosophies such as capitalism, socialism, and feminism, to major religions which, over the centuries, have played a crucial role in human societies and cultures. Both “philosophy” and “religion” have, in one way or another, shaped the world that we live in today, from systems of government and political organisation to the distribution of resources, and from forms of individual and collective worship to peacekeeping, colonialism, and war. For this reason, the theme of “Philosophy and Religion” is essential to understanding both where we have come from and where we are going.
Recognising the interconnectedness of “philosophy” and “religion” – and given the importance of both ideology and faith throughout human history – many of the collections that we curate at BOA relate directly to this theme, with material from a variety of different geographical and historical contexts. For example, the collections listed below reveal the activities of Christian missionaries in Africa, the Americas, and Asia; chart the development of communal and sectarian violence; trace the birth of the women’s suffrage movement; illustrate the ideological conflicts between East and West throughout most of the twentieth century; and provide key insights into anti-militarist and anti-imperialist activism.
