Formal Issues in Philosophy of Religion MSc (P02799)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : PPL-P-ForIssPhi

This course will offer detailed seminars on key formal presentations and treatments of classic philosophical arguments in the philosophy of religion. No background in philosophy of religion or theology will be required, only introductory level training in formal logic will be assumed, and the course is intended to be accessible to students with a wide range of philosophical interests and aptitudes.

Shared with UG course U04161 Formal Issues in Philosophy of Religion

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Philosophy, (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Schedule I)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students who take this course should be equipped to explore, discuss and analyse formal treatments of classical and contemporary arguments in the philosophy of religion, and thereby acquire confidence in dealing with these arguments. In particular, they should be enabled to explore critically topics that include the following:
* Probabilistic (Bayesian and otherwise) analyses of Hume's argument concerning testimony to miracles
* Pascal's Wager and its different decision-theoretic reconstructions
* The ontological argument for God's existence, specially in its modal forms
* The Argument from Design as applied to 'cosmic fine-tuning'
* The 'Free Will' defence against the problem of evil, and its various modal reconstructions