PHIL30520 Philosophy of Religion

Academic Year 2020/2021

The aim of this module is to examine the question of whether it is reasonable to believe in the God of the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). In order to investigate this question, we consider arguments found in both classic and contemporary texts in the philosophy of religion. (Note that no prior knowledge of, or interest in, the particular doctrinal commitments of any of the Abrahamic faiths is required - our central question is a philosophical question, and the arguments that we consider are philosophical arguments. Note also that we do not advocate for either theism or atheism - the module should be of interest both to those with faith, those without, and everyone in between.)

In terms of structure, the module is divided into two parts. Part I is taught by Prof. James O'Shea from Weeks 1-6, with two one-hour lectures a week, and Part II is taught by Dr. Daniel Esmonde Deasy from Weeks 7-12, with two one-hour lectures a week.

In Part I, Prof. O'Shea will examine some classic arguments and debates concerning the alleged rational grounds for the belief in the existence of God, usually including: (1) brief selections from important medieval philosophers such as Thomas Aquinas; (2) arguments from the 18th c. sceptical philosopher David Hume, in particular his posthumously published _Dialogues concerning Natural Religion_ (1776) and his famous essay ‘Of Miracles’ (1748); and (3) debates concerning William James's late 19th c. conception of 'The Will to Believe', bringing up key topics concerning faith, rational belief, and evidence. We will explore both sides of the arguments from the perspective of recent commentators and critics as well. This will provide some historical and conceptual background for the topics to be explored further in Part II.

In Part II, Dr. Deasy will focus on five questions, addressing each in the context of contemporary debates in the philosophy of religion. They are:

1. Is the concept of God - that is, of an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good being - coherent?
2. Must rational belief in God be supported by evidence? What is the relation between faith and belief?
3. Is it possible to prove from first principles that God exists?
4. Does the fact that the universe contains life (or consciousness) provide evidence for the existence of a divine creator?
5. Does the fact that the universe contains intense suffering provide evidence against the existence of a divine creator?

The module will be assessed on the basis of two in-trimester essays (worth 33% each) due in Weeks 7 and 11, and an end-of-trimester written exam (worth 34%). Students will be permitted to bring one A4 sheet of notes to the exam.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of studying this module, students will learn to:

1. THINK CRITICALLY about some classic and contemporary debates in the philosophy of religion
2. IDENTIFY some key ideas and theories in the philosophy of religion
3. SHOW AWARENESS of potential problems that have led to the refinement of those ideas and theories in the relevant debates
4. INTERPRET and UNDERSTAND some classic and contemporary texts in the philosophy of religion
5. WRITE a well-structured and well-argued philosophical essay that explains and critically assesses some of the key ideas and theories introduced in the module
6. ARTICULATE their own responses to philosophical views; support them with reasons; and defend them in the light of criticism



Indicative Module Content:

In terms of content, the module is divided into two parts. Part I is taught by Prof. James O'Shea from Weeks 1-6, with two one-hour lectures a week, and Part II is taught by Dr. Daniel Esmonde Deasy from Weeks 7-12, with two one-hour lectures a week.

In Part I, Prof. O'Shea will examine some classic arguments and debates concerning the alleged rational grounds for the belief in the existence of God, as found in the works of the 18th century sceptical philosopher David Hume. In particular, we will work through Hume's posthumously published Dialogues concerning Natural Religion (1776) as well as his famous essay ‘Of Miracles’ (1748), exploring both sides of the arguments from the perspective of recent commentators and critics as well. This will provide some historical and conceptual background for the topics to be explored in Part II.

In Part II, Dr. Deasy will focus on five questions, addressing each in the context of contemporary debates in the philosophy of religion. They are:

1. Is the concept of God - that is, of an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good being - coherent?
2. Must rational belief in God be supported by evidence? What is the relation between faith and belief?
3. Is it possible to prove from first principles that God exists?
4. Does the fact that the universe contains life (or consciousness) provide evidence for the existence of a divine creator?
5. Does the fact that the universe contains intense suffering provide evidence against the existence of a divine creator?

For an introduction to some of the content of Part II of the module, see for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pRzyioUKp0 (copy and paste this link into your browser)

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

8
Autonomous Student Learning

93
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
1. TEACHING

The module is taught on the basis of 24 lectures (with two one-hour lectures per week from Weeks 1-12), and 8 one-hour tutorials delivered by a graduate tutor (from Weeks 3-10).

In lectures, material will be presented by the lecturer and students will have the opportunity to raise questions with the lecturer as well as to discuss the material presented.

In tutorials, students will have the opportunity to discuss and debate the week's readings and the material presented in the lectures in detail, as well as to raise questions concerning the material with the tutor. Students will often be divided into smaller groups who will discuss certain questions and then feed back their answers to the whole group. There will also be an opportunity to discuss essay plans and essay feedback in tutorials. Tutorials will often be structured around specific questions and readings provided in advance by the tutor or lecturer.

2. LEARNING

Learning for this module is centred around material presented in lectures; reading; discussion and debate; and writing. Students will be expected to read short set texts in advance of the lectures; to attend lectures; and to actively participate in tutorials. Students will be supported in their learning of the module material by both lecturers and tutors, both in person in lectures and tutorials, by email, and in set office hours. Students will be supported in their writing by a lecture on how to write a good philosophical essay; reading materials on how to write a good philosophical essay; comments on draft essays; clear feedback on submissions by the lecturer and/or tutor; and a clear rubric accompanying essays. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: Written exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

34
Essay: 2000 word essay on a topic introduced in Part II of the module Week 12 n/a Graded No

33
Essay: 2000 word essay on a topic introduced in Part I of the module Week 7 n/a Graded No

33

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

1. The lecturer and tutor will provide feedback on draft essays prior to submission (as long as drafts are presented by an agreed date). 2. Each submitted essay will be returned with comments from the lecturer. 3. After the first essay has been submitted, there will be group/class feedback from the lecturer/tutor. 4. Students will have the opportunity to engage in self-assessment activities prior- and post-submission in tutorials