Philosophy And Ethics Flashcards
Why would a catholic say that visions prove the existence of god? (3 examples)
Abraham’s vision - fulfilled
St Bernadette - confirmed miracles by Catholic Church
Joan of arc - behaviour changed
What are some arguments against visions? (3)
They are subjective
No empirical evidence
Hallucinations
What is an example of a non biblical miracle?
Catherine Latapie - paralysed fingers (hand was healed when in stream in Lourdes)
“Miracles prove the existence of god”
Give 3 reasons for this argument
If a miracle has happened god must have performed it
Only god can perform miracles
If no natural explanation, forced to believe it is god
“Miracles prove the existence of god”
Give 3 reasons against this argument
Always based on evidence of witnesses, can be mistaken or lies
Many past miracles can now be explained
God could use miracles for more important things like poverty
“Visions are proof that god exists”
Give 3 reasons for this argument
Abraham’s promise was fulfilled
Some are confirmed by Catholic Church
Multiple people see the same vision
“Visions are proof that god exists”
Give 3 reasons against this argument
No empirical evidence
Subjective
Could be made up for recognition
“Miracles are definitive proof that god exists”
Give 3 reasons for this argument
The church investigated each miracle thoroughly
Regardless of science, there is no other explanation
Miracles are consistent with gods revelation throughout time
“Miracles are definitive proof that god exists”
Give 3 reasons against this argument
David Hume says miracles could be a mass delusion
Not necessarily caused by god, could be another being
Testimony of witnesses is not reliable
“Explain two catholic beliefs about religious experience” (5 marks)
- Cannot be regarded as new revelations - catholics believe gods revelation was fulfilled in Jesus
- Some can further deepen our understanding of what has already been revealed - our understanding may not yet be explicit
“Explain two reasons religious experience may lead to or support a belief in god” (4 marks)
Swinburne said 20% of people claim to have had one
If the person is credible and trustworthy then why shouldn’t we believe them
What were the 5 steps of William paley’s beliefs
- Walking through a field
- See a rock, assume it’s been there forever
- If stumbled across a watch, complex, needs a designer
- Human eye more complex, needs a designer
- God
“Evidence of design in the world leads to a belief in god”
Give 3 reasons for this argument
- philosophers say god must be omnipotent and omniscient supporting catholic views
- brings science into agreement, deepening the study of science and nature
- based on our own experience of design
“Evidence of design in the world leads to a belief in god”
Give 3 reasons against this argument
- evolution - human body wasn’t perfect in the beginning
- David Hume - can’t use an analogy to explain the universe
- god is not the designer because of evil and suffering
What are the 5 catholic responses to evil and suffering
- if god never gave us free will we could never be held responsible
- humans can’t understand that god makes them suffer to benefit them
- still loves and cares for his creation
- world is a place of ‘soul making’
- we are challenged to follow jesus’ example and remove all suffering
