PHL2670 Philosophy of Religion
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Handbook entry- a brief description of the subject can be found in the handbook entry. The handbook also provides information about the unit leader, the semester and mode in which the unit is available, the contact hours and the assessment requirements.
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MUSO site - there is a WebCT site for this unit where assessment tasks, lecture notes and other unit resources will be posted. Once enrolled, students taking this unit are advised to check the WebCT site regularly.
About this subject:
Philosophy of religion is the intellectually rigorous study of fundamental questions about religion. Examples of the kinds of questions that are addressed in philosophy of religion include the following:
What is religion? Does religion require belief in the supernatural? Does religion require belief in at least one divine being? Does religion require belief in a supreme god?
Why are there so many different religions? Why do religious disputes prove so intractable? Should there be-could there be-an absolute separation between Church and State?
Is there a fundamental conflict between religion and science? Should the theory of evolution be taught in science classes in state-funded schools? Should 'creation science' be taught in science classes in state-funded schools? Do modern cosmological theories provide evidence that supports traditional forms of religious belief?
Does the God of the New Testament exist? Can it be reasonable to believe that the God of the New Testament exists? Are there compelling arguments that support the claim that the God of the New Testament exists? Are there compelling arguments that support the claim that the God of the New Testament does not exist?
Was the universe created by a supremely wise, supremely good and supremely powerful agent? If so, why are there so many natural evils in the world? If not, was the universe created by some other kind of agent?
And so on. Discussion of some of these questions dates back to the very beginnings of philosophy. Indeed, for many philosophers, questions about the nature and existence of God are the central questions in philosophy. Philosophers who have made important contributions to philosophy of religion include: Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Augustine, Anselm, Boethius, Duns Scotus, Aquinas, Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Hume, Kant, Feuerbach, Marx, Nietzsche, James, Freud, Tennant, Russell, Broad, Mackie, Smart, Plantinga, Swinburne, Lewis, Alston, van Inwagen, Gale, Martin, Smith, and Craig.
What is the value of philosophy of religion?
First, the study of philosophy of religion has intrinsic value: the questions that philosophers of religion investigate are interesting and important.
Second, the study of philosophy of religion has instrumental value: engaging in enquiry in philosophy of religion is an excellent means of developing a whole range of skills that are valued in both professional and private life.(In particular, the study of philosophy of religion aids in the development of: reading skills; interpretative skills; analytical skills; reasoning skills; argumentative skills; presentation skills; and writing skills.)
Of course, you might worry that argument about, say, the existence of God is never going to get anywhere: how can you hope to change deep-seated opinions with mere arguments? However, while it may be true that few people change their minds solely as a direct result of arguments in philosophy of religion, it is important to recognise that there are other benefits that the study of philosophy of religion can provide. For example, study in this area will bring you to a deeper understanding of the various available views (including your own). There is little doubt that you will benefit from hearing what the sharpest minds of 100 generations have had to say about, say, the nature and existence of God.