A REASSESSMENT OF ABSOLUTE SKEPTICISM AND RELIGIOUS FAITH Standing Before the Mystery

After a general discussion of what "religious" might mean and locating Western confidence in knowing in the influence of Aristotle, the book moves to the question, is any knowledge (i.e. sure and certain verity as opposed to debatable opinion) possible? An examination of claims to knowledge by the physical and social sciences, history, ethics and theology leads to the conclusion that humans can never claim certainty for any of their opinions. Using M. K. Gandhi as an example of a modern absolute skeptic, the final section explores the question: how can we live without certainty, facing the inexplicable mysteries of life and death? This is followed by a series of questions and answers which explore further the position of skepticism.