Philosophy vs. Spirituality: A Few Basic Differences

“I believe in God but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It's just that the translations have gone wrong.”
– John Lennon

These words by one of the greatest artists in the world say a lot about his beliefs and how he perceived the philosophy of spirituality. And to be precise, there’s no cut-and-dry distinction between the two, or at least I haven’t heard it from someone enlightened. However, there’s still a thin line that you can draw on technicalities, but before we get into that, let’s be clear! Both spirituality and philosophy do not create exclusivity; instead, both focus on the close integration of human beings with humanity.

A Difference between Philosophy and Spirituality

Spirituality is the human urge to connect with something greater. This urge comes from the curiosity of creating an understanding about life, death, and maybe beyond. Spirituality is quite subjective in nature and affects each human being in its own way. And you don’t have to believe in any religion to become spiritually enlightened. Even non-believers follow a spiritual path and try to find their purpose in life.

On the other hand, philosophy is often propounded by visionaries across the globe, such as John Locke, Aristotle, Buddha, Osho, Rumi, Plato, Confucius, etc. Some of the great gentlemen mentioned here gave their ideas about life and its meaning. Although almost each one of them has their own way of looking at things (which is often supported by logic and reasoning), one thing remains the same; which is to understand the meaning of life and achieve true happiness.

This is the only difference between spirituality and philosophy. If we talk about real-life experiences, most individuals who want to achieve or at least sense spirituality often choose the philosophical path that takes them on a journey of self-exploration and self-awareness. However, contrary to that, some experience spirituality or the presence of something greater than man by accident, which brings them closer to life, nature, and humanity. No matter which path you choose, the end goal remains the same.