Objectives and competences
By the end of this course students will have developed their critical and analytical thinking in the assessment of philosophical texts and the arguments that they contain. They will extend their research skills and will gain a grasp of the historical and disciplinary scope of the subject. Students completing this course will become effective in evaluating and using a complex range of bibliographic resources and will be encouraged to develop intellectual autonomy, particularly with regard to ethical theory. It will also enhance their written communication skills.
Content (Syllabus outline)
the perenial problem of God’s existence.
traditional arguments (ontological, cosmological, teleological).
contemporary arguments (riddles of existence, first cause, modal ontological argument, teleological argument without causal reduction, …).
argument from evil.
miracles and problems with rationality.
religion without god(s) and god(s) without proofs.
world-design and a need for (inteligent) designer.
recent scientific discoveries about the origins and nature of the physical universe and their impact on the debate.
religious pluralism
death and immortality
Learning and teaching methods
• Lectures,
• Tutorials,
• Presentation of short entry.
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
The ability to read and comprehend philosophical writings.
• The ability to critically and philosophically examine significant issues in philosophy of religion.
• The ability to cogently argue (verbal and written) for or against a variety of issues.
• The ability to offer new viewpoints on competitive approaches to common problems of reality and transcendence.
• Argumentation pro et contra for different ontological and epistemological stances in different religions
• The ability to make sound decisions about different theories of God and gods.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
an ability to critically examine arguments and theses,
be able to write clearly about abstract debates,
be able to marshall arguments into a coherent case,
be able to conduct research based on monographic and periodical literature.
Readings
Izbor (odlomki) iz tekstov:
Berilo/Reader – izbor klasičnih in sodobnih tekstov.
Hick, J. (1983) Philosophy of Religion.Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice – Hall.
Pojman, L.(ur.) (1997) Philosophy of Religion. Atheneum, CA.: Wadswort Publishing Company.
