Philosophy of Religion

Philosophy of Religion Welcome and Orientation Dr. Elizabeth Shadish

Orientation Session • Roster and Adds • If space permits, I will add at the end of class today • Brief review of handouts • My comments and your questions about the content of this course

While the Roster is Called… • Review handouts – your first quiz will be on this information. • Bring a 10-question Scantron on Tuesday, Feb 19 for this quiz • For a good semester - be prepared to talk openly, rationally and respectfully with each other.

Course Content – Required Material • Textbooks • Kessler – Philosophy of Religion: Toward and Global Perspective • Judd – Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Religion • Research access to materials beyond encyclopedias (either paper or online) • Recommended: Instructor-generated and Internet-accessible support materials

Assignments and Grading – Individual Work • ThreeExams (non-cumulative) - taken in class. Bring clean-edged paper or a blue book for these tests. • Three 1 – 1 ½ page Reflection Papers – personal views on specific topics in the philosophy of religion (typed, double-spaced)

Assignments and Grading – Class-Oriented Work • Debate Team Presentation and Report – each of you will be a presenter in one debate. Some research is required. To be submitted immediately after the debate. • Audience Participation Reports – short responses to, and questions about, our various debates. • Must be typed/double-spaced, in preparation for debates

Questions about Logistics? • Suggestions: • Keep your syllabus handy – we have lots of assignments that can’t be submitted late. • One exception – the “NQA” or “No Questions Asked” pass for one debate report. • Read actively – think about what you’re reading, ask questions as you read, not your agreements and disagreements with what you’re reading…

Thinking Philosophically about Religion • We are not: • Systematically covering world religions • Promoting or debunking religious beliefs and practices • We are: • Questioning and analyzing religious beliefs and practices • For their reasonableness • For their truth

Examples of Questions: Who is God? Is There a Life after Death? Does Religion Oppress Women? Are All Religions True?

Philosophy and Truth • Aquinas: faith is superior to reason and argument (with regard to religious doctrines) • Three reasons to seek evidence that religious doctrines are in fact true: • We are rational beings who naturally seek to exercise our minds • Many argue that at least some aspects of religious doctrine can be supported by reason • The contemporary appeal of evidentialism

Philosophy and Meaning • If you don’t understand a concept or belief, you can’t begin to question it fairly. • Determining meaning = providing a workable and reasonable definition • Example: • “What is the nature of religion?”

Consider: Religious Diversity • Taoism • Buddhism • Judaism, Christianity and Islam • Ba’hai • Unitarianism • Wicca • Atheism or Science?

Philosophy Theology Both deal with fundamental issues, and with the meaning of life. ________________________________________________________ • Questions all assumptions • Seeks wisdom in the context of rational inquiry • Accepts fundamental assumptions • Seeks wisdom in the context of spiritual growth

Answering our Questions • Both readings and debates are designed to help you explore our questions. • Remember that tests are not about your views (unless asked) • No final or definitive answers are expected – just well-reasoned answers

Your Resources • You will have plenty of help • Each other! • Professor accessibility • eshadish@elcamino.edu • SOCS 213B – TTh, 8:00 – 9:30 amOnline (instant email) – W, 4 – 6:00 pm • Website with some resources: • http://www.elcamino.edu/faculty/eshadish/Phil7/Index7.htm

So – Let’s Get Started! • Be sure that you ask about anything that confuses you early in the class. • Keep a dictionary handy • Start by reading Sections 1.1 and 1.4 in the Kessler text. See you next class!

Philosophy of Religion