The religion of Plutarch : $b A pagan creed of apostolic times

"The Religion of Plutarch: A Pagan Creed of Apostolic Times" by John Oakesmith is an early 20th-century essay examining how Plutarch's ethics and beliefs conflicted with traditional pagan faith alongside new philosophical ideas. The book likely sets Plutarch against early Christian thinking, while assessing the ethical implications of his religious views. It begins with an explanation of the book's origins, as a newer version of a previously released exploration into Plutarch's ethics. It opens by defining features of modern European religions and contrasting them with Roman religion, which it argues depended on realistic thinking vs. emotional emotion. Oakesmith explains that Roman religion faced problems with the rise of Greek philosophy, suggesting old beliefs did not meet society's moral needs, setting up a study into Plutarch's religious views. This introduction prepares the reader for a further study of ethics, religion, and philosophy during a historic period of change.