T2-Philosophy of religion Flashcards
What are the three arguments for gods existence?
- the cause argument/the cosmological argument.
- The ontological argument.
- The design argument/the teleological argument.
What are the characteristics of God of Classical theism?
Omnipotent,omnibenevolent, omnipresent and omniscient.
What are the issues of the God of classical theism, that he is omnipotent?
The paradox of the stone causes a problem because can God create a stone that he cannot lift?
What are the issues of the God of classical theism, that he is omnibenevolent?
The Euthyphro dilemma causes a problem because ‘is it good because God commands it or does God command it because it’s good?’
What are the issues of the God of classical theism, that he is omniscient?
Free will. ‘Are we really free to make decisions if God already knows our choices?’
What is the design argument?
William Paley that used the analogy of a watch to argue that God exists.
If you found a watch you know it has a designer because it is has order and purpose.
Things in nature also have order on purpose so they must have a designer.
The only being that could have a designed the whole universe is God. So God must exist.
What is the cause argument?
Thomas Aquinas argued that there must be a cause of the universe.
He believed.
- everything that exists must have a cause.
- If you went back there must be a first cause.
- The only thing that doesn’t need a cause can be the first cause.
- Therefore the first cause must be God.
What is the ontological argument?
Rene Descartes argued that God must exist by definition. This was a deductive argument based on reasoning not experience ,he said.
God is a supremely perfect being.
Supremely perfect must exist.
Therefore God must exist.
What does omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omnipresent and omniscient mean?
Omnipotent-all powerful.
Omni benevolent-all loving.
Omnipresent-everywhere.
Omniscient-all knowing.
What is the problem of evil existence of?
The existence of natural evil and moral evil.
What an analogy does William Paley use in the design argument?
A watch.
What school are used to cause argument?
Thomas Aquinas.
Which scholar used the ontological argument?
René Descartes
Which paradox causes an issue for God to be omnipotent?
The paradox of the stone.
Who used the inconsistent triad to demonstrate that the concept of evil was compatible with the Omni benevolent and omnipotent God?
J.L.Mackle used it
What did the inconsistent triad contain?
The inconsistent triad contained God is omnipotence, God is only benevolent, evil exists.
What are the types of reasoning?
- Deductive arguments.
- Inductive arguments.
What does atheism mean?
Atheism is the idea that God does not exist.
What is Agnosticism?
The idea that you are unsure if God exists.
What does cosmological mean
From the Greek ‘Cosmos’ meaning relating to the universe used to refered to cause argument for gods existence
What does deductive mean?
Deductive is a reasoning which which is a logical necessary conclusion.
What does free will mean
Free will is the idea that humans have the ability to freely choose and make decisions. Some religious people believe this is a gift from God.
What Does inductive mean?
Inductive is a reasoning which reaches a probable conclusion.
What does moral evil mean?
Moral evil is evil caused by humans
What does natural evil mean
Natural evil is evil caused by nature.
What does teleological mean?
From the Greek tell us meaning end or purpose . Used to refer to the design argument for gods existence
What does theism mean?
is the idea that God exists.
What does theodicy mean?
And argument used to respond to the problem of evil.
what is the Latin word for deductive and inductive
A posteriori and A priori
who talked about Rationalism?
- Rene Descartes said that logic would lead you to truth. If you put two pieces of knowledge together, you can gain more knowledge. For example, you see an image of Antarctica. You see ice in the image. You know ice is cold. Therefore, you can work out that Antarctica must be cold.
who talked about Empiricism?
John Locke disagreed. He said that in order to truly know something, you must experience it. In order to know if it is cold in Antarctica, you must go there yourself and find out that it is cold.
what is Scepticism?
Rene Descartes said that your senses can deceive you. For example, have you ever had a dream that felt real at the time? He says your senses fool you when you are dreaming. It is only the logic that tells you it wasn’t real when you wake up. Therefore, Descartes suggests Locke’s idea is wrong. Your senses can be mistaken, so experiencing things are not the best way to know if they are true.
Reasons for non-belief of god?
➔ The problem of evil! ➔ Scientific theories such as the Big Bang and Evolution. ➔ Psychologists such as Sigmund Freud think that people have created God in their minds.
what are some Criticisms of religious belief?
Scientific
Psychological
Sociological
Criticisms of religious belief scientific
Some people argue that science is able to answer many of the questions that religions traditionally consider. For For example, the Big Bang theory explains the origins of the universe and Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution explains how humans came to be in the world. These theories need no mention of God.
Criticisms of religious belief Psychological
Sigmund Freud was a famous a psychologist who argued that religion is a ‘childish delusion’. He suggested that God is a creation of our unconscious mind that helps us to make sense.
Criticisms of religious belief Sociological
Famous political and sociological theorist Karl Marx argued that religion was the ‘opium of the people’. He thought that religion created class
divisions in
society and was
a way to keep the
lower classes down.
