Module overview
Can there be a proof that God exists? Or might phenomena such as suffering serve to show that an omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent being cannot exist? Such questions are central to the philosophy of religion; attempting to answer them leads us to reflect on such topics as the character of religious belief, its relation with science and morality, the place of reason in religion, and the meaning of religious language. This module will explore some of these questions and the issues they raise.
It is possible to undertake this module successfully without having completed the first year module, Faith and Reason. However, this module can be seen as building on that one. The subject matter of the second year module will be more advanced and will be explored in greater depth.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- interpret, synthesise and criticise complex texts and positions.
- present ideas in writing, clearly and carefully.
- debate and criticise ideas and arguments in an even-handed fashion.
- articulate and defend your own views regarding the issues the module concerns.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- contribute to discussion in a critical but dispassionate way.
- work effectively to deadlines.
- take notes from talks and written materials.
- undertake independent work, including identifying and using appropriate resources.
- express views clearly and concisely.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- some of the central questions in philosophy of religion, and competing answers to these questions
- how the issues you explore in this module relate to those in other modules (e.g. Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics of Belief)
- central arguments that have been offered for and against these answers.
Syllabus
The syllabus for this module may vary from year to year. It may include topics such as:
- Arguments for the existence of God
- Arguments against the existence of God
- The nature of religious belief
- Free will and divine foreknowledge
- The soul and the afterlife
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
- Lectures
- In-class discussion
- One-on-one consultation with module co-ordinator
Learning activities include
- Attending classes
- Contributing to class discussion
- Doing independent research for and writing assessed essays and exams
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 24 |
| Wider reading or practice | 24 |
| Revision | 23 |
| Completion of assessment task | 22 |
| Lecture | 33 |
| Follow-up work | 24 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
J L Mackie (1983). The Miracle of Theism. Oxford University Press.
L. Wittgenstein (1970). Lectures and Conversations on Aesthetics, Psychology and Religious Belief.
B Davies (2004). An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion. Oxford University Press.
R Swinburne (2004). The Existence of God. Oxford University Press.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Commentary exerciseSummative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Timed Assignment | 50% |
| Timed Assignment | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Timed Assignment | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Timed Assignment | 50% |
| Timed Assignment | 50% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External