ONLINE MEETINGS ON PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION 2022

Day 1. (Apr. 5) Analyzing and Evaluating Arguments (Reading: E. J. Kremer, Notes on Logic, Part I-III. Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles, Bk. 1. Ch. 3)

Class topics: The definition of an argument. Regimenting and analyzing arguments. Evaluating deductive and non-deductive arguments. Regimenting Aquinas's first argument in Chapter 3 for the conclusion that some truths about God ("divine truths") "wholly surpass the capability of human reason." In effect Aquinas gives an argument based on reason for the conclusion that there is more to know about God than what can be known through reason.

Day 2. (Apr. 19) Faith and Reason (Reading: Alfred J. Freddoso, "The Necessity for Revelation: A Primer on Summa Contra Gentiles 1, Chaps. 1-9")

Day 3. (May 5) Aquinas' statement that "Man is directed to God as to an end that surpasses the grasp of his reason."  The distinction between Classical Theism and Theistic Personalism. (Reading, Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, I, q. 1, a.1 and Summa Contra Gentiles, Book I, Ch 5; Brian Davies, An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion, fourth edition, Ch. 1; Six 5-minute talks by E. J. Kremer in www.wi-phi.com, under the series name, "Classical Theism")

Day 4. (May 17) Recent popular atheism. A more serious atheistic argument from J.L. Mackie, which sparked the active discussion of God and evil in the post-WWII era. Alvin Plantinga's refutation of Mackie's argument.

Day 5. (May 31) A second more serious atheistic argument: Wm. Rowe's "empirical" argument, developed in response to Alvin Plantinga's refutation of Mackie's atheistic argument. [I will consult those who have attended the classes about the schedule of the remaining 7 classes. What sort of summer break will we take?]


Day 6. Theism: The Kalaam Cosmological Argument: The world of changing things has a beginning; whatever has a beginning has a cause outside itself; therefore the world of changing things has an unchanging cause, which is God. Aquinas' refutation of the argument.


Day 7. Theism: Barry Miller's Argument from Contingency, an argument similar to the "third way" of Aquinas.


Day 8. Divine Attributes: Omnipotence, Omniscience, Immutability, Eternity, Providence.


Day 9. Human Exceptionalism: The special place of human life within creation.


Day 10. Morality and the Will of God


11. Morality and the obligation to love God above all and to love others as you love yourself.


12. (August 30) Petitionary Prayer


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