A Philosophical Discussion: Faith Precedes Knowledge

(written on June 6, 2020)

(Ref: SB 1.16.20, BG17.2-6)

“Faith always precedes knowledge” is actually a material philosophical assertion that to really know something, you first must have firm faith and belief in it. The material philosophers use this assertion as a part of their Tripartite Theory to define knowledge.

However, the material philosophy does not refer to the Lord in any aspect and is therefore incomplete. The class of rationalists, who are a specific section of philosophers believe that whatever you think is correct. They believe that faith is whimsical and that you can believe something without any basis and it will be true. The rationalists have come up with this definition because they believe that empirical knowledge cannot be the means of understanding knowledge. They have a so-called universal assertion: “The general idea behind the belief condition is that you can only know what you believe. “ These rationalists are correct that empiricism is an untrustworthy process, but they do not understand that there is a Vedic means of acquiring real knowledge which starts with faith in the Vedic injunctions, which are unwavering truths. They decide to follow anumana pramana, placing their faith on random thoughts or ideas, rather than following shabda pramana, placing their faith on the Vedas, and living life by those injunctions.

This phrase can be described in the Vedic perspective, which is always correct due to its direct correlation with the Supreme Lord. In the Vedas, real knowledge is explained. That knowledge is authentic because it’s object is loving, devotional service and faith in the Lord. The Vedic aspect of “faith always precedes knowledge” is that faith in the Lord is more important than having knowledge. You may have knowledge, but if you don’t have faith in the Lord, then the very purpose of that knowledge is defeated. In the Vedas there are many examples of the Lord and his devotees explaining the importance of faith over knowledge.

These are some examples of faith preceding knowledge:

Śvetāśvatara Upanishad 6.23	“The real import of the scriptures is revealed to one who has unflinching faith in both the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the spiritual master.”
Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya 22.62	“Śraddhā is confident, firm faith that by rendering transcendental loving service to Kṛṣṇa one automatically performs all subsidiary activities. Such faith is favorable to the discharge of devotional service.”
Bhagavad Gita 6.47	“And of all yogīs, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself and renders transcendental loving service to Me – he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.”
Bhagavad Gita 4.39	“A faithful man who is dedicated to transcendental knowledge and who subdues his senses is eligible to achieve such knowledge, and having achieved it he quickly attains the supreme spiritual peace.”
Śrimad Bhagavatam 1.2.7	“By rendering devotional service [with faith] unto the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, one immediately acquires causeless knowledge and detachment from the world.”
Srila Prabhupada’s Lectures: Morning Walk July 21, 1975 San Francisco	“Just like I do not know where this pathway goes. But you show me, "This way." So without faith, how can I go? If I have no faith, then I cannot move even an inch. I believe, "Yes, he is all right. Let me go." This is faith. I do not know whether it is going..., which way it is going. So without faith, you cannot move an inch. So faith must be there, either it is true or blind.” Faith is the moving force. Only with faith can you do anything. “That is faith---means on knowledge. So faith with knowledge is very good. But beginning must be faith---with knowledge or without knowledge.” Prabhupada is directly saying that faith comes before knowledge.

All these examples show how “faith always precedes knowledge”. You may not have knowledge, or it may not be available to you, but by placing faith in the Lord, then you can progress and that knowledge will be revealed to you (this is stated in Svetasvatara Upanishad 6.2). Actually, the whole process of developing prema, or love of Godhead, begins with adau sraddha, or meager faith. (This is stated in Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.4.15–16)). When one gets this little faith in the devotees, this ultimately begins their spiritual journey. Therefore, as it is seen, faith is ultimately more important than knowledge.