Our test tracks this discussion. All of you following this--and apparently there are a number who are not students but from several continents--welcome!--our test is as follows:
Philosophy of Religion: Midterm
Dr Lee Basham
Philosophy
Midterm
Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability.
- 1. What is the definition of God in the Western tradition? Emphasize the basic issues of power, knowledge and moral perfection. What do these terms, these attributes, mean to you. How do you relate them to the features of your life today?
- 2. What does the philosopher Ibn Sina offer as a challenge to the “all powerful” attribute of God? How does St Aquinas try to deal with this? Explain as fully as you can. Give examples of logically impossible scenarios. Also, consider the issue of metaphysical impossibility. Can we exist as ourselves and be born, genetically speaking, from different parents? What is the role of the possibility of reincarnation in this discussion? Also relate this (below) to parallel universes.
- 3. Explain why the dogs are barking again, at 6 in the morning. Jesus. What’s out there? Here we go again…
- 4. What is the libertarian definition of Free Will? What is the correspondence theory of truth (no fact no truth)? Explain, give an example. See Q 3, if you like: They are still going nuts. What is De Holbach’s position of Hard Determinism? Explain how, given the definition of truth, and the libertarian definition of free will, how this allows us to surprise God. So God learns. Respond to this approach.
- 5. Address the issue of God’s moral nature with a discussion of Jewish law—this is simple test case, no more—does the law of rape in the city show God is a utilitarian? Consider the idea God is not, but governed the Jews, hypothetically, accordingly. Comment.
- 6. Is CV19 a counter-example (shows something is false) to God’s existence? Something that shows God is not all-powerful and all-knowing and morally perfect? Explain, if it can be done, using the insights we have developed above about God’s power, knowledge and freewill.
We have 48 hours to complete this test. Our Philosophy of Religion podcast has the Review, the guidance needed. As do your minds. Send our tests to drlabasham77@gmail.com. Label them on the subject line as "Midterm Phil Religion". This helps us a lot .
Well done, running backs!
Cheers~
Dr. Lee Basham