Philosophy of Religion
Module Code: 407PPR Credits: 10 Contact Hours: 30 Level: 4 Lecturer: Seamus Mulholland OFM
Syllabus
The module begins by emphasising the importance of being clear when the word God is used and so will examine the role of metaphor and analogy within religious language. It will move to survey different approaches in understating God talk: the revisionary view [Stewart Sutherland]; a non-realist view [D.Z.Philips, Don Cupitt], theological realism [Janet Mary Solskice]. The philosophical assumptions underlying each view will be examined and the viability of the realist position on the face of revisionary critiques will be investigated. The module will then move to consider specific issues that arise in reference to God’s ‘existence’ and God’s ‘activity’. This section of the module will begin with the question, ‘What, if anything, grounds belief in God?’.
It will then move to consider the ‘proofs’ that have been given for the existence of God and will ask whether these work. Special attention will be paid to the Modal Proof of Duns Scotus in Reporta 1A [Allan Wolter]. This will give rise to the question of the nature of proof in reference to God?s existence and will lead to an exploration of the relationship between faith and rationality. In the light of this the module will inquire into a number of issues in which faith and rationality are both brought into focus: God’s action in the world; prayer, the miraculous; religious experience; life after death; the problem of evil.
Aims
- to encourage familiarity with current debates about philosophy of religion
- to encourage critical reflection on nature of religious language
- to alert students to the implications which philosophical positions have for religion
- to enable students to critically assess the nature of religious phenomena
- to provide an understanding of the contemporary relevance of the issues of religious theism.
Assessment
This essay will be assessed through a 3,000 word essay
Evaluation
Student Evaluation form at the end of the module.
Teaching Methods
This module will be taught through lectures, assigned reading of subject specific texts and private study
Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of this module students will be able to
- understand the role of analogy and metaphor within religious language
- understand and express the arguments presented by revisionists
- assess the ability of critical realism to withstand the revisionary critique
- have an understanding of what grounds belief in ‘God’
- critically assess the so-called ‘proofs’ of God?s existence
Subject Specific Skills
- an understanding of the complexities of religious language in contemporary society
- an ability to critically dialogue philosophically about language and religion
- a development of critical and analytical skills especially in philosophical discourse
- a knowledge of understanding of differentiations between realism, non-realism and revisionary ideas in contemporary philosophical discourse as well as other related areas such as theology
Transferable Skills
By the end of this module students should be able to
- form independent opinions about the nature of religious language and philosophy and support those opinions with appropriate evidence.
- present materials related to religious language and philosophy of religion in a coherent, well structured argument, and make appropriate choices from primary and/or secondary materials.
- contribute confidently to discussions about philosophy of religion using philosophical arguments and critiques.
- communicate the module content in a balanced manner to others, especially other Franciscans, members of Church groups, family, and non-believers.
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