Instructor: Kurtis Hagen
E-mail: kurtishagen@yahoo.com
TEXTS:
- Brian Davies, An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion
- David Hume, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion
- Henry Rosemont, Jr., Rationality and Religious Experience
- Course Reader
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The first part of this course will focus on monotheism. We will study and evaluate arguments for and against the existence of God, as we simultaneously consider alternative (but still monotheistic) conceptions of God. In the second part of the course we will take up issues involving human nature and its relation to ultimate reality. Here we will take a broader perspective, considering Hindu, Buddhist, and especially Confucian viewpoints. Finally, we will assess an attempt to defend a pluralistic embrace of the various religions by separating their metaphysical commitments from their value as resources for living our lives.
COURSE GOALS:
There are two kinds of goals for this course, one regarding content, the other regarding competencies. That is, everyone is expected to learn the various theories, concepts, and interpretations that are presented in class and in the readings. In addition, the demonstration of nuanced reasoning skills, and the ability to clearly explain and assess this "content" is regarded as equally important.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
• Attendance: Regular attendance and active participation in class discussions are required.
• Reading: It is important to do the assigned reading before each class in order to participate fully in class discussions. Quizzes may be given to assure that everybody is keeping up.
• Assignments: There will be short assignments to focus your reading. These may involve brief in-class presentations.
• Papers: Everybody will write two essays (approximately four pages each). The bulk of your grade will be based on these papers. You will be permitted to rewrite the first paper to improve your grade, if you wish. There will, however, be strict deadlines.
• Exam: There will be a comprehensive final exam.
EVALUATION:
Two five-page papers: 30% and 30%
A final Exam 20%
Short assignments and quizzes 10%
Attendance and participation 10%
Part I: God, and the Philosophy of Religion
- (Introduction)
- Davies, Concept of God
- Davies, Philosophy and Religious Belief
- Davies, Cosmological Arguments
- Davies, Design Arguments
- Davies, Ontological Arguments
- Hume (Intro - Part 2)
- Hume (Part 3 - Part 5) (paper 1 assigned--God)
- Hume (Parts 9 & 10)
- Hume (Parts 11 & 12)
- Davies, Experience and God
- Davies, Talking About God
- Davies, Omnipotence and Omniscience
- Adams, "Moral Arguments for Theistic Belief" (from God)
- Rachels. "God and Human Attitudes" (from God)
- Perry, "Is the Idea of Human Rights Ineliminably Religious?"
- Davies, God and Evil
- Davies, Morality and Religion
Part II: Human Nature and the Ultimate
[Hinduism]
- Kupperman: The Upanishads; and Katha Upanishad (Excerpts from SHN)
[Buddhism]
- Rahula: Doctrine of No-Soul: Anatta; cf. Hume: Of Personal Identity (from SHN)
[Chinese Philosophy]
- Hagen, "Sorai and the Will of Tian"
- Perkins: "Reproaching Heaven: The Problem of Evil in Mengzi"
- Perrett, "Evil and Human Nature"
- Hagen, "Xunzi & the Nature of Confucian Ritual"
- Li, "Religion: Multiple Participation versus Exclusionism"
Part III: Rationality and Religious Experience: The Continuing Relevance of the Worlds Religious Traditions (Henry Rosemont, Jr.)
- Rosemont's Presentation
- Huston Smith's Comments
- Q&A (2nd paper due)
- Epilog
- Review
Last Date Modified: 08/21/2007
Kurtis Hagen, e-mail: hagenkg@plattsburgh.edu