Year 12 Philosophy

Question 1

Design Argument: Paley Strengths [P1]

Answer 1

• Simple ~ likely + easy to understand
• Designer beyond universe = reasonable
• Humans eye complicated = provides function to see

Question 1

Design Argument: Paley Weaknesses [P2]

Answer 1

• No evidence for Classical Theistic God
• Hume ~ analogies do not always work well
• Hume ~ no experience of universe-making
• [Counter = analogies make easier to understand]

Question 2

Design Argument: Darwin Strengths [P3]

Answer 2

• Strong scientific evidence (e.g., fossils)
• Secular (no belief in God required)
• Christians can add God into process (i.e., he is the ‘driving’ force of why life forms adapt)

Question 3

Design Argument: Darwin Weaknesses [P4]

Answer 3

• Theory, not fact
• Creationists = science has limitations (cannot tell us the ‘whole concept’)
• Only tells us how the universe was created, not its purpose
• Theories of science can change over time (theory might not be applicable in future)

Question 4

Cosmological Argument: Aquinas Strengths [P1]

Answer 4

• Intended to show how something causes things to exist (chain of movement etc)
• Supported by inductive scientific arguments
• Good explanation for cause of infinite regress

Question 5

Cosmological Argument: Aquinas Weaknesses [P2]

Answer 5

• Inductive = probable + no certainty
• Infinite regress = no need for prime mover (better than God as first cause)
• Contradiction (no cause for God)
• No empirical evidence of God as external being

Question 6

Cosmological Argument: Overall Strengths [P3]

Answer 6

• A posteriori (based on empirical evidence)
• Ockham’s razor (simple + likely)
• [Counter = sensory experiences can deceive us]
• [Counter = “brute fact” ~ sometimes we don’t need an explanation]

Question 7

Cosmological Argument: Overall Weaknesses [P4]

Answer 7

• No experience of universe-making
• Not logical to endlessly search for origin
• Universe beginning doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a cause
• Not possible to contemplate what exists beyond space and time [Kant Link]

Question 8

Ontological Argument: Anselm Strengths [P1]

Answer 8

• Forces believer to consider term “God”
• Deductive = no logical error
• Confession of faith

Question 9

Ontological Argument: Anselm Weaknesses [P2]

Answer 9

• Kant = existence cannot be shown by logic
• Meaningless for non-Christians
• Gaunilo = used for anything (e.g., island)
• [Counter = God is necessary unlike islands]

Question 10

Ontological Argument: Overall Strengths [P3]

Answer 10

• A priori = simple to understand
• A priori cannot be disproved by science
• Deductive = premises true means conclusion definitely true
• [Counter = premises might not actually be true?]

Question 11

Ontological Argument: Overall Weaknesses [P4]

Answer 11

• Existence is not a real predicate
• Add/take away existence does not change concept of God
• People can reject definition
• Hume = necessary existence is incoherent

Question 12

Problem of Evil: FWD Strengths (Augustine) [P1]

Answer 12

• Matches well with the Bible
• Avoids Satan as independent demonic power
• Justifies with Classical Theistic God

Question 13

Problem of Evil: FWD Weaknesses (Augustine) [P2]

Answer 13

• Fall = literal truth
• Natural evil predates humanity
• Loving God should not punish people
• No justification for sinners suffering

Question 14

Problem of Evil: Process Strengths (Whitehead) [P3]

Answer 14

• Co-suffering God = personal
• Justification for omnibenevolence
• Inspiring = suffers to make things better

Question 15

Problem of Evil: Process Weaknesses (Whitehead) [P4]

Answer 15

• Surrenders omnipotence
• No promise of heaven
• Does not defend Classical Theistic God
• Goes against teachings of unchanging nature

Question 16

Religious Experience: James Strengths [P1]

Answer 16

• Brings psychology (scientific)
• Inclusive of all religions
• Recognises similarities between religions = provides clearer understanding

Question 17

Religious Experience: James Weaknesses [P2]

Answer 17

• Ineffable = difficult to find true meaning
• Pragmatic = only focuses on outcome
• Psychological not same as religion
• Science + supernatural do no correlate

Question 18

Religious Experience: Swinburne Strengths (Principle of Credulity and Testimony) [P3]

Answer 18

• Credulity = straightforward, allows individuals to make judgements of validity
• Acknowledges significance (do not doubt people’s accounts easily)
• Intuitive appeal (influences people to trust senses)

Question 19

Religious Experience: Swinburne Weaknesses [P4]

Answer 19

• People have a good reason to lie
• Not logical to compare with everyday life
• Subjectivity = what’s real to someone may not for other
• Ramachandran + Singer = REs deceive people