1 God and the Self

In the quote above, the Russian philosopher Berdyaev hints at the “personalist” idea that the Self, while utterly unique, nonetheless contains a universal content that makes the Self an end in itself. The Self is something that cannot be regarded as a means to some end no matter how praiseworthy, but rather is an end that is irreplaceable, precious, and infinitely valuable. Its dignity lies in its rationality, its universal content, its irreplaceability – a consciousness that can deliberate rationally about moral ends and choose the good and the true. This book will examine religion through the eyes of this Self. There are, of course, many ways to study religion, but I believe an approach to religion through the lens of the Self will prove especially fruitful because one of religion’s major self-proclaimed aims is the salvation of the individual Self. Despite the Self’s great dignity and worth, it is treated by religion as conflicted and in need of salvation. The sacred texts of both