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CRS865Arts2 Unitsintermediate

Philosophy of Religion

This course explores the philosophical study of religion, examining themes such as God, immortality, and creation. It delves into theistic and atheistic theories, addressing arguments for and against religious beliefs. The course also investigates the problem of theodicy and the relationship between religion and science. Students will gain critical thinking skills to analyze religious concepts and contemporary issues, fostering a deeper understanding of the intersection between philosophy and religion.

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45h

Study Time

13

Weeks

3h

Per Week

none

Math Level

Course Keywords

Philosophy of ReligionTheismAtheismTheodicyReligion and Science

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

📚

Math Level

No Math

📖

Learning Type

Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Meaning and Scope of Philosophy

2

Theories of Religion

3

Theistic Arguments

4

Atheistic Theories

5

Problem of Evil

6

Life after Death

7

Religion and Science

8

Religion and Social Change

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Religious Studies Teacher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Theologian

Apply your skills in this growing field

Ethics Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Social Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Advisor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationReligious OrganizationsNon-profit SectorGovernmentSocial Services

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: The Meaning of Philosophy of Religion

2h

Unit 1: Meaning and Scope of Philosophy

2 study hours

•Read the unit introduction to understand the scope of philosophy.
•Define philosophy from an etymological perspective.
•Identify and describe the main branches of philosophy.

Week

2

Module 1: The Meaning of Philosophy of Religion

2h

Unit 2: Meaning and Theories of Religion

2 study hours

•Explore the etymology of the word 'religion'.
•Examine various definitions of religion.
•Compare and contrast anthropological, sociological, and psychological theories of religion.

Week

3

Module 1: The Meaning of Philosophy of Religion

2h

Unit 3: Philosophy of Religion

2 study hours

•Understand the background history of philosophy of religion.
•Discuss the need for philosophy of religion as a discipline.
•Evaluate the problems and state the goals of philosophy of religion.

Week

4

Module 1: The Meaning of Philosophy of Religion

2h

Unit 4: Origin of the World

2 study hours

•Explain the religious perspective on the origin of the world.
•Compare and contrast cosmic evolution with biological evolution.
•Analyze the conflicts between scientific and religious accounts of creation.

Week

5

Module 1: The Meaning of Philosophy of Religion

2h

Unit 5: Origin of Theodicy

2 study hours

•Explore the etymology and definition of theodicy.
•Discuss the history of theodicy and the need for it.
•Describe the various approaches to theodicy, including those of St. Augustine, Leibniz, and Barth.

Week

6

Module 2: Theism

2h

Unit 1: Meaning and Origin of Theism

2 study hours

•Define theism and discuss the concept of God.
•Examine the role of culture in the formation of ideas about God.
•Compare the concept of God in Christianity and Islam.

Week

7

Module 2: Theism

2h

Unit 2: Theistic Arguments

2 study hours

•Understand the meaning of ontological arguments.
•Describe the nature of teleological arguments.
•State the essence of an argument from motion and compare it with an argument from causality.

Week

8

Module 2: Theism

2h

Unit 3: Meaning and Origin of Atheism

2 study hours

•Explain the etymology and definition of atheism.
•Relate a short history of atheism.
•Analyze the various types of atheism, including strong and weak atheism.

Week

9

Module 2: Theism

2h

Unit 4: Atheistic Theories

2 study hours

•Explain the metaphysical atheistic theory.
•State the atheistic theories of Ludwig Feuerbach, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Nietzsche.
•Discuss the logical and evidential arguments against theism.

Week

10

Module 2: Theism

2h

Unit 5: Religion and Science

2 study hours

•Understand the origin of conflict between science and religion.
•Relate some of their differences and reasons for such conclusions.
•State the limitations to science and suggest means of bringing about a meaningful relationship between them.

Week

11

Module 3: Religion and Contemporary Issues

2h

Unit 1: The Problem of Evil

2 study hours

•Explore philosophical and religious explanations for the existence of evil.
•Evaluate the problem of evil and its implications for theistic beliefs.
•Understand the Stoic perspective on evil as part of a harmonious universal system.

Week

12

Module 3: Religion and Contemporary Issues

2h

Unit 2: Life after Death

2 study hours

•Discuss Plato's arguments for the immortality of the soul.
•Examine arguments against the immortality of the soul, including those of Aristotle, Epicurus, and Hume.
•Analyze the implications of different views on life after death.

Week

13

Module 3: Religion and Contemporary Issues

2h

Unit 3: The Quest for Historical Jesus

2 study hours

•Explain the origin of the quest for the historical Jesus.
•Discuss the contributions of Bultmann, Robinson, Van Harvey, and Ogden to the understanding of the historical Jesus.
•Relate the possible suggestions in tackling future contemporary problems facing the Christian faith.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a detailed study schedule, allocating specific time slots for each unit.

2

Focus on understanding the key arguments for and against the existence of God, particularly the ontological, cosmological, and teleological arguments.

3

Develop a strong understanding of the different theories of religion, including anthropological, sociological, and psychological perspectives.

4

Prepare detailed notes on the problem of evil, including theodicies and philosophical responses.

5

Review the relationship between religion and science, focusing on areas of conflict and potential harmony.

6

Practice essay writing, focusing on clear and concise articulation of complex philosophical concepts.

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