Philosophy of Religion
- Arts
- 800 level
- 2 credit units
- 124 pages
- 15 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 45 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CRS865, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CRS865 · UNIT 1 MEANING AND SCOPE OF PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy is derived etymologically from two Greek words ‘phileo’ and ‘sophia’, meaning “the love of knowledge”, “the love of wisdom”. Hence, for anyone to be called a philosopher, he must be a lover of knowledge and wisdom.
What you should be able to do
- Define philosophy and religion and explain their relationship.
- Analyze arguments for and against the existence of God.
- Evaluate different theories of religion and their implications.
- Discuss the problem of evil and various attempts to resolve it.
- Examine the relationship between religion and science.
- Assess the role of religion in social change.
What it prepares you for
- Religious Studies Teacher
- Theologian
- Ethics Consultant
- Social Worker
- Policy Advisor
- Education
- Religious Organizations
- Non-profit Sector
- Government
- Social Services
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Theism
Unit 2: Theistic Arguments
The ontological argument involves abstract reasoning about the nature of existence, requiring careful attention to logical nuances.
- Module 3: Religion and Contemporary Issues
Unit 3: The Quest for Historical Jesus
Understanding the nuances of Bultmann's theology and its impact on subsequent quests for the historical Jesus requires careful study of complex theological arguments.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: The Meaning of Philosophy of Religion
Unit 1: Meaning and Scope of Philosophy · 2 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 2Module 1: The Meaning of Philosophy of Religion
Unit 2: Meaning and Theories of Religion · 2 hours
Explore the etymology of the word 'religion'.. Examine various definitions of religion.. Compare and contrast anthropological, sociological, and psychological theories of religion..
- Week 3Module 1: The Meaning of Philosophy of Religion
Unit 3: Philosophy of Religion · 2 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 4Module 1: The Meaning of Philosophy of Religion
Unit 4: Origin of the World · 2 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 5Module 1: The Meaning of Philosophy of Religion
Unit 5: Origin of Theodicy · 2 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 6Module 2: Theism
Unit 1: Meaning and Origin of Theism · 2 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 7Module 2: Theism
Unit 2: Theistic Arguments · 2 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 8Module 2: Theism
Unit 3: Meaning and Origin of Atheism · 2 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 9Module 2: Theism
Unit 4: Atheistic Theories · 2 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 10Module 2: Theism
Unit 5: Religion and Science · 2 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 11Module 3: Religion and Contemporary Issues
Unit 1: The Problem of Evil · 2 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 12Module 3: Religion and Contemporary Issues
Unit 2: Life after Death · 2 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 13Module 3: Religion and Contemporary Issues
Unit 3: The Quest for Historical Jesus · 2 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..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a detailed study schedule, allocating specific time slots for each unit.
- Focus on understanding the key arguments for and against the existence of God, particularly the ontological, cosmological, and teleological arguments.
- Develop a strong understanding of the different theories of religion, including anthropological, sociological, and psychological perspectives.
- Prepare detailed notes on the problem of evil, including theodicies and philosophical responses.
- Review the relationship between religion and science, focusing on areas of conflict and potential harmony.
- Practice essay writing, focusing on clear and concise articulation of complex philosophical concepts.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CRS865 about?
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.
How many units does CRS865 have?
CRS865, Philosophy of Religion, has 15 units across 3 modules, over 124 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CRS865?
CRS865 carries 2 credit units, at 800 level in Arts.
Is CRS865 hard?
CRS865 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does CRS865 take to study?
About 45 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is CRS865 assessed?
CRS865 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with CRS865?
Religious Studies Teacher, Theologian, Ethics Consultant, Social Worker and Policy Advisor.