Philosophy of God: Reason, Science and Religion

This module takes as its starting point the lively contemporary debate concerning the existence and nature of God and sets out to investigate from a philosophical point of view the relationship between reason, science and religion. The most common arguments for the existence of God will be identified and outlined with a view to assessing their validity. Particular attention will be paid to the philosophical issues which arise within the contemporary 'God debate' in connection with the theory of Evolution and theories concerning the make-up and origins of the universe. The philosophical problem of evil will be examined as it presents a major challenge to belief in an all-knowing, all-powerful and all-good God.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
-Identify the main lines of argument in contemporary debate concerning the existence and nature of God.
-Discuss in a philosophically sophisticated way the relationship between reason, science and religion.
-Identify and discriminate between the various 'traditional' proofs for the existence of God within the Western philosophical tradition, with the aim of assessing both their validity as philosophical arguments and their relevance for debate concerning the existence of God in our own time.
-Explain how the theory of Evolution and contemporary theories concerning the make-up and origins of the universe can represent a challenge to 'traditional' philosophical proofs for the existence of God.
-Identify and examine the 'attributes' applied to God in the Western philosophical tradition (i.e., goodness, omnipotence, omniscience) with a view to assessing the coherence of theism.
-Analyse the philosophical problem of evil as a major challenge for belief in the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing and all-good God.
-Present and articulate, in scholarly written format, a cogent argument for a position taken in relation to a philosophical approach to considering the question of the existence of God today.
-Demonstrate ability to select and think-through a response that is of relevance to the set essay-assignment tasks in addressing issues of concern in philosophy of God, reason, science and religion.

Teaching & Learning methods:
24 lecture hours (12 weeks x 2 lecture hours per week); 3 tutorial hours (x 15 tutorial groups); reading, reflection, discussion and writing.

Assessment:
Continuous Assessment detail(s): 5% = Attendance at Tutorials. 20% = Tutorial Essay-Assignment (c. 1,000 words) 15% = Presentation 60% = Final Essay-Assignment (c. 2,000 words).