| Unit name | The Philosophy of Religion |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS10034 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. David Leech |
| Open unit status | Open |
| Pre-requisites |
none |
| Co-requisites |
none |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit will introduce students to the philosophy of religion. It examines its history, including ancient philosophical, Christian, Jewish and Islamic contributions, and the emergence of modern philosophy of religion out of early modern philosophical theology. It also introduces students to central debates concerning the meaning of life in recent philosophy of religion, including issues connected with the concept of God and the justification of religious belief; religion and science; philosophical issues in non-theistic traditions such as Buddhism; and philosophical defences of atheism.
On successful completion of this unit students will have
(1) developed a general knowledge of the history of philosophy of religion; (2) acquired a basic understanding of current debates in the discipline, with respect both to theistic and non-theistic traditions; (3) gained some familiarity with some central arguments in contemporary philosophy of religion and an ability to engage critically with them; (4) developed skills in the researching, reading and presentation of complex material.
1 lecture + 1 seminar per week
One summative coursework essay of 1500 words and one unseen examination of two hours comprising 2 questions out of 6 (50%).
• Taliaferro, Charles Evidence and faith : philosophy and religion since the seventeenth century (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005). BD573 TAL • Contemporary Debates in Philosophy of Religion (eds.) Michael L. Peterson and Raymond J. VanArragon (Malden, Mass.: Blackwell, 2004). BL51 CON • Davies, Brian An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion, Third Edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004). BL51 DAV • Hick, John The Philosophy of Religion (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1990). BL51 HIC • A Companion to Philosophy of Religion (eds.) Charles Taliaferro, Paul Draper and Philip L. Quinn (Oxford: Blackwell, 2010). BL51 COM
