Philosophy 1850
Introduction to Philosophy of Religion
Credit hours: 03
GEC categories: GE Cultures and Ideas
Prerequisites: None
Text Books:
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Course Objectives: To understand belief in God and its many dimensions.
Course Content: For many years now people have believed there are beings more powerful than and morally superior to humans. Some hold that there are many such beings; others only one. The western tradition has been dominated pretty thoroughly by the the belief in one, sometimes called monotheism (i.e., one-God-ism). In particular, the Judeo-Christian variety of monotheism has had the firmest grip on Western culture. Thus in this course we'll be taking a detailed look at the Judeo-Christian God and asking all manner of questions about the belief system associated with him. For example, we'll be asking: How do we know there is such a being? What is his nature? How does that nature affect me? What is the role of faith versus reason? Is there existence beyond the grave? Could God break a law of nature? Could he create a stone so large he couldn't lift it? If God already knows whether I'll lie tomorrow, why do I think it's up to me? What can we make of the mystic's claim that she has directly experienced God? This class introduces the student to a deeper understanding of the issues which arise when one makes God a major player in one's view of the world.
Method of Presentation: Lecture with class discussion.
Method of Evaluation: Three or four exams. Final is not comprehensive. Some quizzes administered through Carmen.