Description:

This course is an inquiry into the nature of religion, religious thought and religious language. It addresses philosophical topics such as the nature of religious belief, the apparent need of some people for religion, the arguments offered as proof for and against the existence of God, apparent contradictions between scientific and religious teachings, special problems raised by religious language, and the changes religion and philosophy of religion have made to accommodate a modern world view. 3 hrs./wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Discuss a variety of religious concepts and define the vocabulary that is appropriate to each of these concepts.
2. Analyze and explain the dynamics fundamental to religious institutions and explain how theological postulates may be defended through a reasoned analysis.
3. Identify, analyze and explain philosophical arguments offered to prove the existence of God.
4. Identify, analyze and explain philosophical arguments offered to disprove the existence of God.
5. Identify and explain multiple concepts of the nature of evil.
6. Demonstrate the ability to initiate and maintain dialog on religious questions while maintaining an interest in and appreciation for alternative views.
7. Describe and apply the philosophical understanding needed to meet the challenge posed by personal religious concerns and fundamental religious commitments.
8. Identify and explain the traditional and contemporary perceived conflicts between science and religion.
9. Explain possible resolutions of the perceived science/religion conflict.
10. Describe and explain the relationship between religion and morality, and identify and explain at least two religion-based ethical theories.
11. Explain how ethical theories can be developed without reference to religious convictions, and identify and explain at least two such theories.
12. Define free will, and explain attempts made to make the concept of free will consistent with the concept of an omniscient God.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Introduction
   A. Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion
      1. Identify questions which challenge the reasonableness of
religious belief and commitment.
      2. Formulate a working definition of religion.
      3. Establish legitimate parameters of philosophical inquiry into
questions related to religion. 
      4. Examine the nature of certainty and the reasonableness of  faith
based commitments.
      5. Identify problems associated with religious language and
critically evaluate proposed resolutions of those problems.
      6.  Compare the views of Aquinas and Hume on analogy.   

II. Arguments For and Against God’s Existence
   A. The Ontological Argument
      1. Review and explain Anselm’s Formulation.
      2. Review and explain the modal version of the ontological
argument.
      3. Critically examine weaknesses and strengths of both the
traditional and contemporary ontological arguments.
   B. The Cosmological Argument
      1. Explain and evaluate the validity of the principle of sufficient
reason.
      2. Review and explain the cosmological argument.     
      3. Explain and evaluate the concept of infinite regression.
      3. Examine weaknesses and strengths of the cosmological argument.
      4. Discuss the adequacy of uncaused first cause as definitive of
God.
   C. The Teleological Argument
      1. Traditional formulations
         a. Review and explain Paley’s Watch Analogy.
         b. Review Hume’s response and critically examine the measure
and extent of its validity.
   D. The Moral Argument
      1. Formulate and evaluate the Moral Argument for the existence of
God.
   E. The Pragmatic Argument
      1. Review Pascal’s Wager and evaluate its relevance.
   F. The Problem of Evil
      1. Distinguish and evaluate the concepts of moral and physical
evil.
      2. Explain and evaluate the following traditional concepts of evil:
         a. Privation 
         b. Punishment for sin
         c. Test of faith
         d. God’s warning
         e. A challenge necessary for the building of character
   G. The Argument from Miracles and Mystical Experience
      1. Define miracle and evaluate the possibility of the existence of
miracles.
      2. Examine and evaluate Hume’s criticisms of miracles.
      3. Evaluate the existence of miracles as a reasonable proof for the
existence of God.
   H. The Argument from Mystical Experience
      1. Review James’ explanation of mystical experience.
      2. Weigh the reasonableness of the existence of mystical experience.
 Evaluate the value of such experience as a proof for the existence of
God.

III. Alternatives to Theism
   A. Explain and evaluate arguments for the conclusion that religion is
an  opiate of the people” and exposes individuals to unreasonable
manipulation.
   B. Review the evolution of materialistic concepts fundamental to
humanism.
   C. Evaluate the reasonableness of the suggestion that religion is
possible without God and that non-theistic beliefs can satisfy religious
needs.

IV. Science and Religion
   A. Identify questions which have which have brought science and
religion into conflict.
   B. Examine the religious and scientific perspectives at the root of the
disagreements with a view to evaluating the compatibility of the apparently
conflicting religious and scientific answers.

V. Morality and Religion
   A. Explain the concept of free will and discuss the possibility logical
compatibility of free will and an omniscient God.
   B. Address the question of the relationship of free will to morality.
   C. Explain religion based morality.
      1. Explain and evaluate the divine command theory.
      2. Explain and evaluate the natural law theory.
   D. Show how morality can exist without religion and discuss moral
systems which deny the existence of God.

NOTE:  Individual instructors may vary the order of the outline as it
appears here and may emphasize subtopics of the outline to the exclusion
of others.  What is assured is that this list of major topics presents the
topics to be covered in the course.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Administration of a minimum of three exams which will require students
to write essays that demonstrate understanding of essential course
material.  These exams will determine at least 60% of the grade given in
this course.  In addition, quizzes, research papers, oral reports and
other forms of objective evaluation may be used at the instructor's
discretion.

See individual instructor’s syllabus for grading scale.

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.