PHIL 263 Philosophy of Religion
- None.
None.
one-way Exclusions
- Seminars
- The readings are concise and targeted to specific topics. The syllabus will indicate what exactly students are expected to read.
Instructor: Jon Miller
This course looks at religion from a philosophical perspective. Its goal is not to convert anyone to a particular religious belief but rather to submit religious concepts to careful philosophical analysis. The course will progress from basic concepts to more rarified ones.
It will start with questions about God himself/herself/itself. What are the different ways of thinking about God? Is there a right way to think about God? How can we compare different conceptions of God?
Once we have fixed our concept of God, we will then turn to the big question: Does God exist? What reasons do we have to believe that God does exist? How do the causal factors at play on us affect our thinking about God? What is the difference between reasons and causes, anyway?
After we have studied various arguments for the existence of God, we will proceed to consider arguments against the existence of God. Some of these will be directed at religion while others will target God directly. How can God exist when there is so much evil in the world?
The course will conclude with reflection on some of God's properties, how humans relate to God (can we have free will given what God is supposed to be?), paradoxes related to prayer and finally the notion of the after-life. Readings will be drawn from two sources – a textbook and an anthology.
Learning Outcomes
Assessments
Assessments
As for assignments, there will be two short papers due during the semester and one final essay due during the exam period. Students will also have to write brief comment sheets. More information on the assignments will be given at the start of the semester.