Philosophy

Philosophy
Some of you have been aching to discuss religion the whole semester, so this is your chance. However, it is important that as you read this chapter, you are still doing critical analysis. It is not okay, for this class, to just say “I disagree” because of some element of your faith. You must support your claims and you must not be dismissive of others’ belief systems. Think of this as more of a history section. I’m hoping for you to see how philosophy and religion work together, how they have grown apart, and also how different faith systems have developed through the work of these philosophers. Whatever your personal religious sentiments are, they have certainly been influenced somewhere down the line by these thinkers.
1.Explain, in no less than one hundred words, Kierkegaard’s religious existentialism.

2.When Kierkegaard says “Truth is subjective,” what does he mean?

3.What did you find interesting about Kierkegaard other than what you have
written above?

4.In a short essay, name and explain the three major proofs for the existence of God. What do you make of these? Which do you find most compelling? Which do you find most problematic? (Hint: You will need to know these well for the final exam.)

5.What is the difference between the logical and the evidential problems of evil?

6.Even if you have never heard of these thinkers or these arguments by name, how has your own religious experience (what you practice, what you chose not to practice, what you heard your grandmother say, what you’ve read) been shaped by the work of these thinkers? You may have to dig deep to find answers to this question.

7.This is the main question of this assignment: What makes the content of this chapter particularly philosophy as opposed to theology or religious studies? Why is this sort of material important in the study of philosophy? If you don’t think it is, you must support your claim. If you do think it is relevant, expand on why it should be important for all thinkers, not just believers. The answer to this question is not explicitly in the book. This should be your own work and conjecture.