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Question 1

What is a theodicy?

Answer 1

explanation of why a perfectly good, almighty, and all-knowing God permits evil.

Question 2

Augustinian Theodicy (soul deciding/judging)

Answer 2

Evil results from the misuse of free will by angels and humans, leading to a fallen world.

Question 3

Irenaean Theodicy (Soul-Making Theodicy):

Answer 3

Evil and suffering are necessary for spiritual growth and development, leading to eventual perfection.

Question 4

What is soul making?

Answer 4

Soul-making is the theory that evil has to exist so that humans can develop their souls by living and becoming good, moral people.

Question 5

Which religions refer to the book of job?

Answer 5

Christians, Muslims, Jews

Question 6

Summarise the book of Job

Answer 6

Job starts as a successful, wealthy and happy man who trusts and loves God. In heaven God praises him but Satan says he is only good for the rewards and he should have everything taken away to see his true colours. Job is stripped of everything and his friends think he must of done something terrible, meanwhile Job is conflicted - is God testing him or is he not fair and just, so Job demands to talk to God. God shows him the wonders of the universe and asks him wether he could run it - no. Afterwards God gives back double everything he once had, but not as a reward as it wasn’t a punishment.

Question 7

What is Samsara and in which religion is it used?

Answer 7

In Hindu and Buddhist beliefs bondage of life, death, and rebirth’: the cycle of birth and rebirth dictated by karma.

Question 8

What is Karma and in which religion is it used?

Answer 8

In Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism karma. is the relationship between a person’s mental or physical action and the consequences following that action.

Question 9

How do Buddhists believe we can be truly happy?

Answer 9

detaching oneself from the cycle of craving that produces dukkha (the suffering’ or ‘unsatisfactoriness’ of life

Question 10

List two Christian views on happiness?

Answer 10

Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12): Teach that true happiness comes from spiritual virtues like meekness, mercy, and purity of heart. Christians might strive to embody these virtues in their daily lives.
Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” This means finding joy in a relationship with God leads to fulfillment. Christians might focus on prayer and worship.

Question 11

Humanist approach to life

Answer 11

Humanists have no belief in an afterlife, and so they focus on seeking happiness in this life. They rely on science for the answers to questions such as creation, and base their moral and ethical decision-making on reason, empathy and compassion for others.

Question 12

Augustinian Theodicy (Soul-Deciding Theodicy): The problem of evil

Answer 12

Is explained as a result of the original sin. Evil entered the world through the misuse of free will by Adam and Eve. Humans inherit this fallen nature, which explains moral and natural evil.

Question 13

Irenaean Theodicy (Soul-Making Theodicy): the problem of evil

Answer 13

The problem of evil is seen as necessary for human development. According to this theodicy, God created humans imperfectly, allowing them to grow and develop through overcoming evil and suffering. This process leads to moral and spiritual maturity, ultimately fulfilling God’s purpose for humanity.

Question 14

Hard Determinism

Answer 14

Hard determinism is the view that free will does not exist, and every event or action is the result of preceding events in accordance with the laws of nature. Also, humans can’t act without the preceding events.
Key Points:
e.g -John commits a robbery because his actions were inevitable due to genetic, environmental, and societal factors.

Question 15

Give an example of an argument against determinism

Answer 15

Libertarian Free Will

Argument: Libertarians believe in free will that is incompatible with determinism. They argue that humans have genuine freedom to make choices that are not predetermined.

Example: If a person decides to help a stranger, this decision is seen as an exercise of free will that cannot be fully explained by prior causes.

Question 16

Soft determinism

Answer 16

Soft determinism, or compatibilism, is the view that free will and determinism are not mutually exclusive and can coexist. Compatibilists believe that human behavior is determined by causal events, but individuals still act freely when they act according to their own motivations and desires without external coercion.
e.g - Sarah chooses to be a doctor because, while influenced by various factors, she acted according to her own internal desires and motivations.

Question 17

Libet Experiment - what was it?

Answer 17

Objective: To study the timing of conscious intentions vs. brain activity in voluntary actions.
Method: Participants performed simple actions while EEG recorded brain activity. They noted the time they became aware of their intention to act.

Question 18

Libet Experiment - what did it prove?

Answer 18

What did it prove?

Findings: Brain activity (readiness potential) began ~550ms before conscious intention, suggesting the brain initiates actions before we are aware.
Implications: Challenges traditional free will but suggests a possible ability to consciously stop actions. (veto power)

Question 19

Freud

Answer 19

Human behavior is influenced by unconscious desires and childhood experiences, limiting free will.

Question 20

Behaviorism

Answer 20

Behavior is determined by environmental stimuli and conditioning, questioning the existence of free will. (china example)

Question 21

Freud

Question 22

how are karma and samara connected?

Answer 22

Influence on Rebirth: Karma determines the conditions of future lives, with good karma leading to favorable rebirths and bad karma to less favorable ones.
Cycle of Samsara: Karma binds individuals to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. As long as karma is accumulated, the cycle continues.
Spiritual Progress: Overcoming samsara involves purifying karma through ethical living and spiritual practices.
Liberation: The ultimate goal is to achieve liberation (moksha or nirvana), breaking free from the cycle of samsara by eliminating karma.