Philosophy of Religion exam questions
Ancient Greek influences on religious philosophy Candidates are expected to have a basic knowledge of the thinking of Plato and Aristotle; they will not be expected to have first-hand knowledge of the texts. They should be able to highlight the strengths and weaknesses in the thinking of Plato and Aristotle in the areas specified below. |
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Plato: the Analogy of the Cave The Republic VII. 514A–521B |
Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of what might be represented in the Analogy of the Cave by the following: the prisoners, the shadows, the cave itself, the outside world, the sun, the journey out of the cave and the return to the prisoners. Candidates should be able to discuss critically the validity of the points being made in this analogy. |
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Plato: the concept of the Forms; the Form of the Good | Candidates should understand what Plato meant by 'Forms' and be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to discuss critically the validity of the above points. |
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Aristotle: ideas about cause and purpose in relation to God Metaphysics Book 12 |
Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to discuss critically the validity of the above points. |
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Judaeo-Christian influences on philosophy of religion Candidates should be familiar with Biblical texts to exemplify the topics below. There are no prescribed texts. |
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The concept of God as Creator | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to:
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The goodness of God | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to:
Candidates should be able to discuss these areas in a critical manner. |
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Traditional arguments for the existence of God | ||
The Ontological argument from Anselm and Descartes; challenges from Gaunilo and Kant | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to discuss critically these views and their strengths and weaknesses. |
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The Cosmological argument from Aquinas and Copleston; challenges from Hume and Russell | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to discuss critically these views and their strengths and weaknesses. |
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The Teleological argument from Aquinas and Paley; challenges from Hume, Mill and Darwin | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to discuss critically these views and their strengths and weaknesses. |
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The Moral argument from Kant: psychological challenges from Freud | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to discuss critically these views and their strengths and weaknesses. |
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Challenges to Religious Belief | ||
The problem of evil | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to discuss critically these approaches and their strengths and weaknesses. |
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Religion and science | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to discuss critically these views and their strengths and weaknesses. |
Religious language | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to discuss these areas critically and their strengths and weaknesses. |
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Experience and religion | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following in relation to God and religious belief:
Candidates should be able to discuss these areas critically and their strengths and weaknesses. |
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Miracle - a study of how God might interact with humanity, by looking at the concept of miracle | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following in relation to God and religious belief:
Candidates should be able to discuss these areas critically and their strengths and weaknesses. |
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Nature of God | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to discuss these areas critically and their strengths and weaknesses. |
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Life and death | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Candidates should be able to discuss these areas critically and their strengths and weaknesses. |
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