PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

Philosophical reflection on religious issues.

Compare: Philosophy of Science Philosophy of Art Philosophy of Language Philosophy of Law

Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677)

"Not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn, but to understand."

So Why Can't I Simply Appeal To My Faith In God?

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (John 20:29). "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible" (Hebrews 11:3). "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Warning Against Philosophy

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world, rather than on Christ." (Colossians 2:8)

Psalm 14:1

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

Position #1: Fideism

The view that one's fundamental religious convictions are not subject to independent rational assessment. There are certain beliefs that one holds to be true, but might not be able to prove.

Position #3: Evidentialism

The view that religious beliefs can be rationally accepted only if they are supported by one's "total evidence," understood to mean all the propositions that one knows or justifiably believes to be true. In order to be rational, one's degree of belief should be proportioned to the strength of the evidential support. Most contemporary philosophers take this position. Most contemporary philosophers take this position

Position #2: Experientialism The view that some religious beliefs are directly justified by religious experience. [E.g, Thomas Aquinas]

The view that some religious beliefs are directly justified by religious experience. [E.g, Thomas Aquinas]

Conceptions of God

Theism Deism Pantheism Panentheism Polytheism Agnosticism Atheism

So What is the Purpose? develop your ability to think philosophically regarding the religious dimension of experience. critically evaluate the reasons, evidence, and arguments with respect to religion, both pro and con. expand, enrich, and deepen your understanding of other religions in the world. encourage you to reflect on the nature and foundation of your own religious beliefs.

*develop your ability to think philosophically regarding the religious dimension of experience. *critically evaluate the reasons, evidence, and arguments with respect to religion, both pro and con. *expand, enrich, and deepen your understanding of other religions in the world. *encourage you to reflect on the nature and foundation of your own religious beliefs.

What is NOT The Purpose of Philosophizing about Religion (John Chaffee) transform you into an atheist or agnostic. convert you from being an atheist or agnostic to a belief in God or gods. undermine your religious beliefs or "convert" you to another religion.

*transform you into an atheist or agnostic. *convert you from being an atheist or agnostic to a belief in God or gods. *undermine your religious beliefs or "convert" you to another religion

Three Positions with regards to arguments for God's existence

Fideism Experientialism Evidentialism

Blaise Pascal

Gifted French mathematician. Invented a calculating machine, a forerunner of the digital computer One of the first modern computing language was named PASCAL. "The heart has its reasons that the mind does not know."

Why People Believe in God Good design, natural beauty, perfection, or complexity of the world (28.6%) Experience of God in everyday life; God is in us (20.6%) It is comforting, relieving, consoling, gives meaning and purpose to life (10.3%) The Bible says so (9.8%) Just because; faith; need to believe in something (8.2%)

Good design, natural beauty, perfection, or complexity of the world (28.6%) Experience of God in everyday life; God is in us (20.6%) It is comforting, relieving, consoling, gives meaning and purpose to life (10.3%) The Bible says so (9.8%) Just because; faith; need to believe in something (8.2%) Raised to believe in God (7.2%) God answers prayers (6.4%) Without God there would be no morality (4.0%) God has a plan for the world, history, destiny, and us (3.8%) To account for good and avenge evil in the world (1.0%)

Soren Kierkegaard

Human reason is corrupted ever since the Fall. A limited, finite mind cannot possibly expect to comprehend the mind of God. Faith never goes against reason, but transcends it. "The Leap of Faith and the Limits of Reason"

The Need for Faith

Humans are fallen creatures. Effect of sin on human reasoning. Reason cannot completely understand divine truths.

Why DO People Believe In God? Michael Shermer, How We Believe (New York: W.H. Freeman, 2000). Director of the Skeptics Society www.skeptic.com

Michael Shermer, How We Believe (New York: W.H. Freeman, 2000). Director of the Skeptics Society www.skeptic.com

Characteristics of the Theistic God

Monotheism. Omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent, and omnipresent. Transcendent Sovereign Eternal, unchanging, and infinite God has communicated with humans, and humans can communicate with God.

Philosophers Who Believe

Mortimer Adler John Rist Stephen Davis Richard Swinburne Basil Mitchell Frederick Suppe Terence Penelhum Alvin Plantinga Linda Zagzebski Phillip Quinn Nicholas Rescher Kelly James Clark William Wainwright Nicholas Wolterstorff

Pascal's Wager

Pensees (Thoughts) Decision under uncertainty. Decision Theory: The theory of deciding what to do when it is uncertain what will happen. Wager: God exists. As It Turns Out: There is no God. Believer: Nothing to lose. Criticism: But does a person of faith really have nothing to lose. Doesn't religion require a lot of time, energy, commitment, money, and (sometimes) your life? Wager: God does NOT exist. As It Turns Out: There is a God. Nonbeliever: Everything to lose. What do you have to lose by believing in God? You have everything to gain (eternal life) and nothing to lose by wagering that God exists. The wager is not so much about the existence of God, as about whether one should act so as to come to believe in God. Belief Action Action Belief

Faith Alone?

People usually do not have faith in just anyone. Ahura Mazda, Yahweh, Jesus, Allah, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna