Spring, 2004

Instructor: Richard Blanke
Office: Smith House (1007 20th St.)
Telephone: 351-1567
Office Hours: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. TTh, and by appointment
E-mail: rablank@yahoo.com

Course Description

In this course we will critically examine a variety of issues in the philosophy of religion. Some of the issues that might be discussed include: the soundness of the empirical and rationalistic arguments for God’s existence, the nature of revelation and faith, the nature of religious language. In addition to doing philosophy of religion itself, we will also engage in metaphilosophy of religion; that is, we will examine whether philosophy of religion is an appropriate tool for understanding and evaluating religious beliefs.

Course Objectives

No particular position on these issues will be advocated. Rather, we will assist each other in examining the opposing views that have been taken on the above issues in order for each of us to arrive at a clearer understanding of the issues at hand.

Readings

Philosophy of Religion (4th edition), John Hick, Prentice Hall, 1990. This text is available at The Book Stop.

Articles on Reserve at Michener Library:

• “Gods,” Philosophy and Psycho-Analysis, John Wisdom
• “The Logic of God,” Philosophy and Psycho-Analysis, John Wisdom
• Excerpts from Fear and Trembling, Søren Kierkegaard

Course Outline

1. Issues in the Philosophy of Religion
   1. Read the following chapters in the text:
      1. Introduction
      2. Chapter 2 — here, first read Hick’s discussion concerning the Cosmological and Teleological arguments, Theism and Probability, and the Moral Argument for God’s existence. Lastly, read Hick’s discussion about the Ontological Argument
      3. Chapter 3 — Arguments against God’s Existence
      4. Chapter 4 — The Problem of Evil
      5. Chapter 5 — Revelation and Faith (read also the selection from Fear and Trembling
      6. Chapter 6 — Evidentialism, Foundationalism, and Rational Belief
      7. Chapter 8 — The Problem of Verification
2. Issues in Meta-Philosophy of Religion
   1. In connection with this, read the two articles by John Wisdom and Ch. 1 in Hick

Course Requirements

Midterm exam (30%); term paper approximately ten typed pages, due at end of the semester. The topics for the paper will be chosen by me and they will cover the problems and issues that were discussed since the midterm; quality of classroom participation; regular attendance is required.