Editing Knowledge (section)

=== Religion ===
{{See also|Desacralization of knowledge|Resacralization of knowledge}}
Knowledge plays a central role in many religions. Knowledge claims about the [[existence of God]] or [[religious doctrine]]s about how each one should live their lives are found in almost every culture.<ref>{{harvnb|Clark|2022|loc=Lead Section, § 2. The Evidentialist Objection to Belief in God}}</ref> However, such knowledge claims are often controversial and are commonly rejected by [[Religious skepticism|religious skeptics]] and [[atheists]].<ref name=Penelhum1971>{{harvnb|Penelhum|1971|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=QQU9AAAAIAAJ 1. Faith, Scepticism and Philosophy]}}</ref> The [[Religious epistemology|epistemology of religion]] is the field of inquiry studying whether [[belief in God]] and in other religious doctrines is [[rational]] and amounts to knowledge.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Clark|2022|loc=Lead Section}} | {{harvnb|Forrest|2021|loc=Lead Section, § 1. Simplifications}} }}</ref> One important view in this field is [[evidentialism]], which states that belief in religious doctrines is justified if it is supported by sufficient evidence. Suggested examples of evidence for religious doctrines include [[religious experience]]s such as direct contact with the divine or inner testimony when hearing God's voice.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Clark|2022|loc=Lead Section, § 2. The Evidentialist Objection to Belief in God}} | {{harvnb|Forrest|2021|loc=Lead Section, § 2. The Rejection of Enlightenment Evidentialism}} | {{harvnb|Dougherty|2014|pp=97–98}} }}</ref> Evidentialists often reject that belief in religious doctrines amounts to knowledge based on the claim that there is not sufficient evidence.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Clark|2022|loc=§ 2. The Evidentialist Objection to Belief in God}} | {{harvnb|Forrest|2021|loc=Lead Section, 2. The Rejection of Enlightenment Evidentialism}} }}</ref> A famous saying in this regard is due to Bertrand Russell. When asked how he would justify his lack of belief in God when facing his judgment after death, he replied "Not enough evidence, God! Not enough evidence."<ref>{{harvnb|Clark|2022|loc=§ 2. The Evidentialist Objection to Belief in God}}</ref>

However, religious teachings about the existence and nature of God are not always seen as knowledge claims by their defenders. Some explicitly state that the proper attitude towards such doctrines is not knowledge but [[faith]]. This is often combined with the assumption that these doctrines are true but cannot be fully understood by reason or verified through rational inquiry. For this reason, it is claimed that one should accept them even though they do not amount to knowledge.<ref name=Penelhum1971/> Such a view is reflected in a famous saying by Immanuel Kant where he claims that he "had to deny knowledge in order to make room for faith."<ref>{{harvnb|Stevenson|2003|pp=[https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/kantian-review/article/abs/opinion-belief-or-faith-and-knowledge/9519081ED9BAE7811D2B9670340AD7E1 72–73]}}</ref>

Distinct religions often differ from each other concerning the doctrines they proclaim as well as their understanding of the role of knowledge in religious practice.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Paden|2009|pp=[https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203868768-19/comparative-religion-william-paden 225–227]}} | {{harvnb|Paden|2005|loc=Lead Section}} }}</ref> In both the Jewish and the Christian traditions, knowledge plays a role in the [[fall of man]], in which Adam and Eve were expelled from the [[Garden of Eden]]. Responsible for this fall was that they ignored God's command and ate from the [[Tree of the knowledge of good and evil|tree of knowledge]], which gave them the knowledge of good and evil. This is seen as a rebellion against God since this knowledge belongs to God and it is not for humans to decide what is right or wrong.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Carson|Cerrito|2003|p=164}} | {{harvnb|Delahunty|Dignen|2012|p=365}} | {{harvnb|Blayney|1769|loc=[https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/Genesis#3:22 Genesis]}} }}</ref> In the Christian literature, knowledge is seen as one of the [[seven gifts of the Holy Spirit]].<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Legge|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Qg6DDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA181 181]}} | {{harvnb|Van Nieuwenhove|2020|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=-rTRDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA395 395]}} }}</ref> In [[Islam]], "the Knowing" (''al-ʿAlīm'') is one of the [[Names of God in the Qur'an|99 names]] reflecting distinct attributes of [[God in Islam|God]]. The [[Qur'an]] asserts that knowledge comes from [[Allah]] and the acquisition of knowledge is encouraged in the [[Hadith|teachings of Muhammad]].<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Campo|2009|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=OZbyz_Hr-eIC&pg=PA515 515]}} | {{harvnb|Swartley|2005|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=gLi2X1rzeZIC&pg=PA63 63]}} }}</ref>

[[File:Saraswati - Raja Ravi Varma.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|alt=Oil painting showing Saraswati|[[Saraswati]] is the goddess of knowledge and the arts in Hinduism.]]
In Buddhism, knowledge that leads to [[Enlightenment in Buddhism|liberation]] is called ''vijjā''. It contrasts with ''[[avijjā]]'' or ignorance, which is understood as the root of all [[Duḥkha|suffering]]. This is often explained in relation to the claim that humans suffer because they crave things that are [[Impermanence#Buddhism|impermanent]]. The ignorance of the impermanent nature of things is seen as the factor responsible for this craving.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Burton|2002|pp=[https://www.jstor.org/stable/1400322 326–327]}} | {{harvnb|Chaudhary|2017|pp=202–203}} | {{harvnb|Chaudhary|2017a|pp=1373–1374}} }}</ref> The central goal of Buddhist practice is to stop suffering. This aim is to be achieved by understanding and practicing the teaching known as the [[Four Noble Truths]] and thereby overcoming ignorance.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Chaudhary|2017|pp=202–203}} | {{harvnb|Chaudhary|2017a|pp=1373–1374}} }}</ref> Knowledge plays a key role in the classical path of Hinduism known as ''[[Jnana yoga|jñāna yoga]]'' or "path of knowledge". It aims to achieve oneness with the divine by fostering an understanding of the self and its relation to [[Brahman]] or ultimate reality.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Jones|Ryan|2006|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC jnana]}} | {{harvnb|Jones|Ryan|2006|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC Bhagavad Gita]}} }}</ref>