Kant

Question 1

What is essentialist theory

Answer 1

the belief that there are core, unchanging, and inherent characteristics that define what a religion is

Question 2

when does essentialist theory take off

Answer 2

1600s

Question 3

what is Kants main book called & when was it published

Answer 3

critique of pure reason; 1781

Question 4

what is kants book about

Answer 4

metaphysics

Question 5

what are the three main things that kant believes humans want answers about and what is the final outcome the book suggest

Answer 5

1) god
2) immortality and the after life
3) free will

we can’t have knowledge of any of these things

Question 6

why can we not have knowledge over any of the three things kant highlights

Answer 6

because all knowledge that we can obtain exists within space and time. God, immortality and free will exist beyond boundaries of space and time

Question 7

why does kant thing that humans must still believe in god etc.?

Answer 7

for moral stability

Question 8

what is the core of religion for kant

Answer 8

morality

Question 9

what is the kants reasoning for morality being the core of religion

Answer 9

the starting point is moral sense: we feel ourselves subject to moral law

subconsciously we are able to determine between right and wrong (I.e. golden rule, love thy neighbour)

Question 10

what is the categorical imperative (kant)

Answer 10

moral law is universal and neccesary

Question 11

what is the issue with morality in an earthly sense and what is the solution (kant)

Answer 11

good people should have happiness, bad people should be punished but this is not actualized (our world is not just, we require justice)

thus there must be an afterlife where this is addressed (for morality)

Question 12

what qualities must god have according to kant

Answer 12

1) needs to be a power that CAN bring about justice in afterlife
2) need to also know HOW to bring justice
3) needs to also WANT to bring justice (has to be ‘good’)

Question 13

what is moral theism

Answer 13

someone who believes in god for the morality reasons (kant)

Question 14

what does kant think of moral theism

Answer 14

true religion

Question 15

what does kant think of religions not rooted in morality

Answer 15

superstition

Question 16

why does kant believe in god

Answer 16

because he believes in morality, and believing in god is the only way that morality can exist (i.e. three reason of god)