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Academic Year 2005/2006

Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 282 FA

In this course we will subject the concept of ¿God¿ to philosophical analysis, examining both historical and contemporary work. Among the topics we will cover: arguments for theism and atheism; the objections raised to them, and replies to these objections; the divine attributes¿omnipotence, omniscience, benevolence, perfection, simplicity, and so on¿and the puzzles arising from them; the problems of reconciling God and His attributes with the existence of evils, or with our free will, or with scientific explanations; the problem of understanding the causal relationship between God and the world; the nature of miracles; and the question whether believe in God without evidence may be rational. In short, we will examine whether it¿s possible to develop a coherent and satisfying concept of ¿God.¿

MAJOR READINGS

Readings vary from year to year. Readings for Fall 1999 will include:
Kant, RELIGION WITHIN THE LIMITS OF REASON ALONE
Schleiermacher, SPEECHES ON RELIGION
Hegel, PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
Hick, DISPUTED QUESTIONS
Smart, THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Four 3-5 page papers will be assigned over the course of the term.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Students are advised to elect this course only if they have had some previous course, or the equivalent, in philosophy. This course is also listed as RELI291. Preference to religion and philosophy majors.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA PHIL    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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