PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
PHIL 252
SPRING 2010
Tuesday, Thursday 11:30-12:45 MCIN 225
Instructor: Dr.
K. Stanglin
Office phone: 279-4620
Email: kstanglin@harding.edu
Website: www.harding.edu/kstanglin
and www.facebook.com
Office hours: MCIN 209, 10:00-11:00, 1:00-2:00,
3:00-4:00 (MW); 10:00-11:00, 1:00-2:00 (F)
Student Center,
4:00-6:00 (F)
I want you to do well in this course, so please let me
know if you are having difficulty with the class material.
Office phone,
hours, and email should suffice for class business.
Course
Description (from catalog):
A philosophical approach to the study of religion with an emphasis on methods
and problems. The
Christian religion in the light of philosophical thought.
Expanded
Course Description: This course will explore philosophical issues raised by
religious and specifically Christian theological claims. A discussion of careful, reasoned methodology, and an exploration of the relationship between
faith and reason will serve as the groundwork for the course. The course will then focus on
understanding and analyzing foundational religious issues in relation to
philosophical principles. Topics
will include questions that have to do with the existence and nature of God,
and the relationship between God and the world.
Objectives: After taking this course, students will
be able to:
1. Describe
some of the current trends and figures in philosophy of religion.
2. Employ the
most basic tools of logic and analytic philosophy.
3. Articulate their own views of religion and the relationship between
faith and reason in light of the Christian metanarrative.
4. Summarize
the main issues and arguments concerning the existence, nature, and attributes
of God.
5. Discuss
different views of God’s relationship to the world and their
implications.
6. Reflect critically
about philosophical topics, articulating and illustrating their theological and
practical implications.
Format: This is an inquiry-based course that
will practice philosophical discussion of religious questions. It will also include some lectures, as
well as focused analysis and discussion of the assigned texts in class.
Required
Texts:
Evans,
Stephen and R. Zachary Manis. Philosophy
of Religion: Thinking about Faith. 2nd ed. Downers Grove: IVP
Academic, 2009. [Evans]
Peterson,
Michael, et al., eds. Philosophy of
Religion: Selected Readings. 4th ed.
New York: Oxford University Press, 2010.
[PR]
Attendance Policy:
Students are
expected to attend classes regularly.
In the event of illness, family emergency, a school-sponsored activity,
or an extenuating circumstance, it is the responsibility of the student to
notify the instructor as soon as possible of the reason for the absence. A doctor’s note is required for
excusing personal illness. Print a
hard copy for my records. N.B.:
Excuses will not be accepted more than one week after returning to class.
According to
the policies of the College of Bible and Religion, the equivalent of one week
of unexcused absences (2) is allowed in this class. Each
additional absence above 2 automatically reduces your final grade by 4.5
percentage points. Anyone
accumulating 6 unexcused absences will be dropped from the course with a
“WF” (withdrawn, failing).
3 tardies = 1
unexcused absence. You will be considered tardy if you are
not present when the roll is checked or if you leave during class. If you are tardy, it is your
responsibility to make sure you were not counted absent. But if you come in more than 10 minutes
late, or leave before the end of class without telling me why, you will be
counted absent, and will not be allowed to take the test or quiz. Take care of all business before and
after class.
Students
with Disabilities:
It is the
policy for
Academic Honesty:
Classroom Expectations and Decorum:
I expect all
students to behave in a Christian manner in and out of the classroom. Appropriate behavior includes abiding by
the conduct and dress codes set by the university. Turn off all cell phones. Do not even bring them on test or quiz
days. Do not eat food in the
classroom. Only drinks in spill-proof
containers are allowed in class.
If you make a mess, it is your responsibility to clean it up or pay for
it to be cleaned.
If it looks to
me like you are sleeping, texting, or doing other work in class, I will ask you
to leave and it will be counted as an unexcused absence.
You may use
laptops for taking notes only. If
you use a laptop, you must sit on the front row.
Course Requirements:
1. Daily
reading, class preparation, and participation. Every student should carefully read all
required readings. Philosophy takes
a long time to read and comprehend, so plan accordingly. It is hard work with a great
reward. In general, announced sets
of readings should be complete by Tuesday of each week. (On bracketed [PR] readings, see below
#7.) On the final exam, you will be
asked to sign a statement indicating how much you actually read.
Reading assignments will be accompanied by prepared
discussion questions and vocabulary (available at www.harding.edu/kstanglin). Study these to prepare for class (and
exams). Daily preparation will be
evaluated by reading quizzes. In
addition, be prepared to discuss and answer questions about the material in
class. Your participation in class
discussion (which includes relevant questions and thoughtful responses) may
also contribute to the final grade.
ca. 100
pts.
2. The student should keep a notebook containing all
lecture notes and handouts to prepare for exams.
3. Three exams.
There will be two unit exams (weeks 6 and 12) and a comprehensive
final. Study your discussion
questions, vocabulary, and notes. 50, 75, and 100 pts.
4. Problem
paper. In your opinion, what is the
most difficult (philosophical) problem that faces Christianity? State the criticism/problem in its
strongest form, and tell why you find it difficult to answer. This paper should be at least 300 words,
type-written. Due Jan. 19. 25 pts.
5. Topical
paper. Each student will select
some philosophical issue and do independent reflection concerning it during the
course. You will write a 6 to 8
page paper. Topics that arise from
the readings will be appropriate, or you may suggest your own topic of
interest. I will have the final
right of approval. Topics are due, in writing, Jan. 26.
The content
must be based on a philosophical claim over which there may be some reasoned
disagreement, and you must defend a particular viewpoint. For example, “A discussion of
natural law ethics” would be an unacceptable thesis, but “I defend
natural law ethics for the following reasons…” would be acceptable.
The paper
should be divided into two main sections.
In the first section, you will
make your positive case in favor of your viewpoint. In the second, you will raise and refute
the strongest objections to your claim. N.B.: Do not short-change the second
section. You must convince me that
you have read deeply and thought seriously about your opponents’ points of view, and that you can credibly refute
their best objections.
You should
explore your topic fairly deeply—consulting a variety of reputable
sources would be appropriate. Due Mar. 28.
In addition to
the hard copy, you must also submit the paper electronically before the
deadline. Go to www.turnitin.com. The class ID is 2117739, and the password is philrel. Click “submit” and follow
the instructions. Papers not
submitted through this website will not be accepted.
Additional guidelines:
a. 6-8 pages (Times New Roman, double-spaced, not
including bibliography).
b. Use Turabian style footnotes and proper, academic English
style.
c. Assessment
criteria will include such things as: clearly stated purpose, logical
organization, faultless style, evidence of research, and interaction with
sources.
d. At least five
scholarly sources should be consulted.
These sources may include relevant surveys, special monographs, and peer-reviewed
journal articles. Do not cite
unsigned articles (whether online or in print). Do not cite sources in the bibliography
unless they are used in the paper.
e. Papers are
due at the beginning of class, March 25.
A penalty of 10% each class period will be assessed to late papers. Papers will not be accepted after April
8.
75 pts.
6. Paper
presentation. Present the core of
your paper to the class in a five to ten minute presentation. The date of the presentation will be
determined by a random drawing.
The
presentation must be polished and professional. Visual and other aids may be used
sparingly and must contribute to understanding the issue. 25 pts.
7. “Study
Questions” paper. Choose one
reading from PR that appears in brackets [PR…], read it, and answer all
the study questions that appear at the end of that particular reading. Although paper length will vary
depending on the reading selected and number of questions, the paper should be
at least three pages long (double-spaced).
More importantly, the responses should be thorough and sufficiently
answer the questions. This paper is
to be done individually. It is due
on the Tuesday of its respective week.
Like the topical paper, it must be submitted through www.turnitin.com Late papers
will be unacceptable. 50 pts.
8. Extra
Credit. Read A. Plantinga’s
Warranted Christian Belief (available
online through quest). Give a
detailed summary and then brief evaluation of the book. Double-spaced, 3 pages. Due no later than
April 28. Up to 25 pts. on
final exam.
Make-up
Policy:
A test may be
made up only if the absence is excused (see “Attendance Policy”
above). Contact or see me within
five days of the absence to arrange it.
After I am notified, the make-up test will be given on Tues./Thurs., 6:00 p.m., room 233. All make-up tests will be entirely essay
format. There will be no make-ups for unexcused absences. Exams will not be given early.
Grading Scale: ca.
500 points total.
90-100% =
A 80-89 = B
(“Good”)
70-79 = C (“Average”) 60-69 = D 0-59 = F
Assignments/Dates/Grades Summary:
Problem paper (Jan.
19) 25
pts.
Topics due (Jan.
26)
Exam 1 (Feb.
18) 50
pts.
Topical paper (Mar.
25) 75
pts.
Paper presentation 25
pts.
Study questions paper 50
pts.
Exam 2 (Apr.
8) 75
pts.
Final exam (May 6,
1:00) 100 pts.
Although it is your responsibility to keep up with your
grades and absences, I will periodically post them on my website. Check your grades with your last name
and password (H number).
Readings:
Set 1
Evans, pp.
17-22, 57-61.
PR, Intro.
Alvin Plantinga, “Advice to Christian Philosophers,” Faith and Philosophy 1/3 (1984): 235-71,
available at http://www.faithandphilosophy.com/article_advice.php
Set 2
Evans,
ch. 4.
PR, pp. 43-50,
from W. James, Varieties of Religious
Experience, lectures 16 to beginning of 18, available at Google books
(default edition pp. 536-617).
[PR, pp. 51-58,
from William Alston, “Religious Experience as Perception of God”]
Set 3
Evans, pp.
22-35.
Ibn-Rushd (Averroës),
On the Harmony of Religion and Philosophy
chs.
1-2, available at http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/ir/fasl.htm
PR, pp. 92-110,
Thomas Aquinas, “The Harmony of Reason and Revelation,” from Summa contra Gentiles Bk. I.3-7,
available at http://www2.nd.edu/Departments/Maritain/etext/gc.htm
; Blaise Pascal, “The Wager”; William
Clifford, “The Ethics of Belief”; and William James, “The
Will to Believe.”
[PR,
pp. 111-14, Søren Kierkegaard, “Truth Is
Subjectivity.”]
Set 4
Evans,
ch. 2.
PR, pp. 133-43,
Moses Maimonides, “Negative Theology,” from Guide for the Perplexed, I.53, 58-59, available at http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/gfp/gfp003.htm
; Aquinas, Summa theologiae
Ia.xxv.3, available at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/summa.FP.ii.FP_Q25.FP_Q25_A3.html
; and George Mavrodes, “Some Puzzles concerning
Omnipotence.”
[PR,
pp. 128-32, John Hick, “God’s Necessary Existence.”]
Set 5
Evans,
ch. 3.
PR,
pp. 169-73, from Anselm, Proslogion
chs.
2-4; and Gaunilo, (Appendix) On Behalf of the Fool 2-6; available at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/anselm/basic_works.html
PR, pp. 184-86,
from Aquinas, Summa contra Gentiles
PR, pp. 212-14,
from W. Paley, Natural Theology, ch. 1, available at Google books
[PR, pp.
205-11, from J. L. Mackie, “Critique of the Cosmological Argument”]
Set 6
Evans, pp.
183-211.
PR,
pp. 246-55, from A. Plantinga, “The Reformed
Objection to Natural Theology.”
[PR, pp.
262-67, from W. Hasker, “The Case of the
Intellectually Sophisticated Theist”]
Set 7
Evans,
ch. 7.
PR, pp. 276-87,
from D. Hume, Dialogues concerning
Natural Religion, part X, available at http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/dbanach/dnr.htm#A11
; and Gottfried Leibniz, “Best of All Possible Worlds Theodicy.”
[PR, pp. 316-23,
from J. Hick, “Soul-Making Theodicy”]
Set 8
Evans, pp.
42-52.
PR,
pp. 150-59, from Boethius, De consolatione philosophiae Bk.
5, available at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/boethius/consolation.vi.html
; and Nicholas Wolterstorff, “God Is
Everlasting.”
PR, pp. 348-63,
from P. Helm, The Providence of God; and David Basinger, “Middle Knowledge and Classical Christian
Thought.”
[PR, pp.
377-82, from Cobb and Griffin, “God Is Creative-Responsive Love”]
Set 9
Evans, pp.
52-55.
PR, pp. 391-97,
from Aquinas, Summa theologiae
Ia.xiii.5 resp., and Disputed Questions
on Truth 2.11; and A. Flew and B. Mitchell, “The Falsification
Debate.”
PR,
pp. 404-08, from R. Ruether, Sexism and God-Talk.
[PR, pp.
398-403, from P. Tillich, “Religious Language as Symbolic”]
Set 10
Evans,
ch. 5.
PR, pp. 441-54,
from Hume, “Of Miracles”; and J. L. Mackie, The Miracle of Theism.
[PR, pp.
455-60, from R. Swinburne, “Miracles and Historical Evidence”]
Set 11
Evans,
ch. 6.
PR,
pp. 523-26, from R. Dawkins, “Science Discredits Religion.”
PR,
pp. 10-18, from Daniel Dennett, “An Evolutionary Account of Religion,”
from Breaking the Spell.
David B. Hart,
“Daniel Dennett Hunts the Snark,”
available at http://www.firstthings.com/article/2009/01/003-daniel-dennett-hunts-the-snark-15
Set 12
Evans, pp.
211-16.
PR,
pp. 577-80, from Dalai Lama.
PR,
pp. 588-96, from K. Rahner, “Religious Inclusivism.”
[PR, pp.
597-604, from J. Hick, “Religious Pluralism”]
Set 13 (time
permitting)
Evans, pp.
87-96.
PR,
pp. 619-30, from Aquinas on Natural Law; and J. P. Sartre, Existentialism and Human Emotions.
[PR,
pp. 612-18, from A. MacIntyre, “Which God Ought
We to Obey?”]
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cheetham, David and
Rolfe King, eds. Contemporary Practice
and Method in the Philosophy of Religion. New York:
Continuum, 2008.
Copan,
Paul. Loving Wisdom:
Christian Philosophy of Religion. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2007.
Craig, William
Lane and Chad Meister, eds. God Is Great,
God Is Good: Why Believing in God Is Reasonable and Responsible. Downers
Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2009.
Davis, William
H. Philosophy of Religion. The Way of Life Series, 114.
Ganssle, Gregory E. Thinking about God: First Steps in Philosophy. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Hart, David
Bentley. Atheist Delusions: The Christian
Revolution and Its Fashionable Enemies. New Haven: Yale University Press,
2009.
Inwagen, Peter van. The Problem of Evil.
Lewis, C. S. God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and
Ethics. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970.
Morris, Thomas
V. Our Idea of God: An Introduction to
Philosophical Theology. 1991; repr.,
, ed. God and the Philosophers: The Reconciliation of Faith and Reason.
New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.
Peterson,
Michael, et al. Reason and Religious
Belief: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Plantinga, Alvin. Warranted Christian Belief.
Quinn,
Philip L. and Charles Taliaferro, eds. Companion
to Philosophy of Religion.
Rowe, William
L. Philosophy of Religion: An
Introduction. 4th ed.
Sanders,
Andy F. and Kristof de Ridder. Fifty
Years of Philosophy of Religion: A Select Bibliography (1955–2005).
Thiselton, Anthony C. A Concise Encyclopedia of the Philosophy of
Religion.
Zagzebski, Linda T. Philosophy of Religion: An Historical Introduction.