God

Question 1

Why does the question “Does God Exist” Matter

Jacobi’s perspective

Answer 1

There is either God or Nothingness. ( And if there is no God, than I am God) The absence of God would be horrifying. (bad)

Question 2

Why does the question “does God exist” matter? Dostoyevsky’s perspective

Answer 2

If God does not exist… everything is permitted ( bad)

Question 3

Why does the question does “God exist matter” from Nietzsche’s perspective?

Answer 3

The absence of God leaves human beings in charge of making their own values and defining their own lives.

Question 4

Ontological Argument : explain St Anselm of Canterbury version and why it is criticized

Answer 4

Idea : God is greater than everything
Criticism:
1) God can be the only one to use this argument because he is the only one to know his essence.
2)If this argument is sound then other arguments of this form should be sound.

Question 5

Ontological Argument: explain Rene Descartes version and why it is criticized?

Answer 5

Idea : God is an infinite substance ( perfect). I have the idea of God in my mind. I have not thought of an infinite being all by myself. Therefore, the idea must have been put there by God. Since God is perfect he can not deceive me about his own existence.
Criticism: Cartesian Circle. Relies on the presupposition of God and no proof of God

Question 6

The Design Argument

Arguments for God

Answer 6

Every manifestation of design exists in the works of nature.

Question 7

The Fine-Tuning Argument ( Arguments for God)

Answer 7

Everything is precise in order for the world to function. ( Example :Gravity) Therefore, it is extremely unlikely that these properties have occurred by chance.

Question 8

Euthyphro Problem

Argument against God

Answer 8

Explains how religion is based on what the Gods want and love.

Question 9

The problem of Evil

argument against God

Answer 9

If they are all powerful and all-good, than why do they let such bad things happen in the world?

Question 10

Sigmund Freud

Answer 10

God is an illusion to make us feel protected as if we were children. “Remedy of helplessness”
We believe in God because we are afraid.

Question 11

Pascal’s Wager

( Arguments for God)It

Answer 11

A method that considers all the possible outcomes of belief vs non-belief

Question 12

A phenomenology of the Sacred: Explain Otto’s perspective

Answer 12

Mysterium tremendum : sacred experience that leads to feelings of ecstasy ( provoked by something mysterious)
Example : waking in the forest

Question 13

Phenomenology of the Sacred: Ricoeur (5 traits)

Answer 13

1. mysterium tremendum
2. Heirophany ( sacred is present in things)
3. Ritual re-enactment (manifestations of the Sacred)
4. Preciousness, fragility and drama (chaos)
5. Correspondence ( humans, nature and environment)

Question 14

Phenomenology of the Sacred : Fraser

Answer 14

Laws of magic say something important about the mind