MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

REL244  1994 Fall – 1997 Summer II

Philosophy of Religion

1.

Explain one version of the cosmological argument for the existence of God, and analyze the major criticisms and responses to criticisms. (I)

2.

Explain one version of the teleological argument for the existence of God, and analyze the major criticisms and responses to criticisms. (I)

3.

Explain one version of the ontological argument for the existence of God, and analyze the major criticisms and responses to criticisms. (I)

4.

Explain one version of the moral argument for the existence of God, and analyze the major criticisms and responses to criticisms. (I)

5.

Explain one version of the pragmatic argument for the existence of God, and analyze the major criticisms and responses to criticisms. (I)

6.

List and define the traditional attributes of God, including omnipotence, omniscience, divine goodness, and limitations. (II)

7.

Explain philosophical responses to the problem of evil. (III)

8.

Explain arguments for and against the claim that religious language is meaningless. (IV)

9.

Explain the divine command problem. (V)

10.

List and characterize alternatives to the traditional monotheistic worldview. (VI)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

REL244  1994 Fall – 1997 Summer II

Philosophy of Religion

I. Arguments for the Existence of God

A. The cosmological argument

B. The teleological argument

C. The ontological argument

D. The moral argument

E. The pragmatic argument

II. The Attributes of God

A. Omnipotence

B. Omniscience

C. Divine Goodness

D. A limited God

III. The Problem of Evil

A. Evil as evidence against the existence of a traditional God

B. Criticism of the skeptical view of evil

IV. Is Religious Language Meaningful?

V. Religion and Ethics: The Divine Command Theory

VI. Alternatives to Traditional Monotheism

A. Naturalism

B. Humanism

C. Eclectivism

D. Native American Polyspiritualism