The Value of Literature, Religion, and Philosophy in Society

The value of literature, religion, and philosophy is dependant on not only social and temporal contexts but also the state of the other two components. All three ideas act as courses to examining what humanity is all about. But, without any one of them, there would be a missing puzzle piece in figuring out the nature of humanity. I contend that the relative value of literature, religion, and philosophy is in the interconnection of all three in figuring out the self, meaning, and virtue.

Literature provides a metaphorical analysis of value and meaning. Alasdair MacIntyre discusses the value of Jane Austen’s work in evaluating virtue in society. MacIntyre seemed to feel that Austen was a final outcry for the virtue of past. Austen discussed the value of “constancy,” which fit in well with Homeric virtue. Thus, literature is seen as a form of value guide to be interpreted by the public.

To get to the point of literature, however, requires the use of philosophy. Macintyre discusses Athenian Greek virtues as portrayed by Plato, Sophocles, and Sophists. Their ideas of virtue, such as narrative construction and justice, have been influential in some ways to all literature. Philosophy is the catalyst between human ingenuity and the realization of value and virtue to be told to the world. Philosophy on its own could not possibly dominate literature. The more conventional and passive alternative to philosophy is religion. Religion is a necessary partner of literature and philosophy because it drives the dichotomy of knowledge. The marketplace isn’t run merely by philosophers but also priests and monks.