Course Information System - University of Canterbury - New Zealand

Search Courses

Year


Search by Subject



Subjects

Qualifications

PHIL229-11S1 (C) Semester One 2011
Philosophy of Religion: Rationality, Science, and the God Hypothesis

15 points, 0.1250 EFTS
21 Feb 2011 - 26 Jun 2011
↓Other occurrences

Description

Why does the universe exist, rather than nothing at all? Does life imply a designer? Can we show by pure logic that a supreme being exists? Is a person a non-physical soul or only a neural net encased in a skull? Can I survive my death or is belief in an afterlife a trick of evolution? Isn't all the suffering in the world evidence against the hypothesis of a benevolent God? Can human beings tell what is morally right and wrong, or do we need a 'God's-eye-view'? Is science compatible with religion? Is there one and only one true religion? What is 'faith' and what is 'reason' - and who decides? This course presupposes no prior knowledge of the philosophy of religion; it is aimed at students from a wide range of backgrounds, as well as philosophy majors.

Pre-requisites

At least 15 points in Philosophy or Religious Studies. Students without this prerequisite but with at least 60 points in appropriate subjects may be admitted with the approval of the Programme Coordinator.

Restrictions

RELS210, PHIL318

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Diane Proudfoot

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Tutorial participation 10%
Writing assignment 1 5%
Writing assignment 2 5%
Writing assignment 3 5%
Writing assignment 4 5%
Writing assignment 5 5%
Writing assignment 6 5%
Writing assignment 7 5%
Writing assignment 8 5%
Essay 1 25%
Essay 2 25%

Textbooks

Required Texts

M L Peterson et al; Reason and Religious Belief; 4th; Oxford University Press.

Fees

Domestic fee $595.00
International fee $2,588.00


For further information see School of Social and Political Sciences.

All PHIL229 Occurrences

  • PHIL229-11S1 (C) Semester One 2011
  • PHIL229-11S2 (C) Semester Two 2011 - Not Offered
Previous Year          Next Year