Philosophy of God (AP3210C)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit explains the differences between the classical Christian position in comparison with alternatives (for example, the Hellenic concept of God of Plato and Aristotle). It then examines classical proofs for the existence of God in the history of western philosophy, and considers various classical divine attributes, such as God's eternity and immutability. It also discusses various problems or issues in relation to the classical Christian conception of God, for example, the problem of evil, or the problem of divine foreknowledge.

Unit code: AP3210C

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Philosophy

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically adumbrate a range of proofs of God’s existence.
2.

Explain, contextualise and evaluate the critiques of arguments for the existence of God made, for example, in the medieval and the early modern periods.
3.

Critically explain the important accounts of certain divine attributes; for example, God’s omniscience, freedom, eternity or simplicity.
4.

Critically explain at least one problem for classical Christian theism; for example, the problem of evil, or the problem of divine foreknowledge.
5.

Identify and critically appraise the characterisation of God implied or presupposed by the proofs for the existence of God presented in the unit.

Unit sequence

36 points of Philosophy at second level

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologiae. Part 1, questions 2–25.
  • Craig, William L., ed. Philosophy of Religion: A Reader and Guide. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2002.
  • Davies, Brian. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
  • ———, ed. Philosophy of Religion: A Guide and Anthology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
  • Hughes, Gerard. The Nature of God. London: Routledge, 1995.
  • Murray, Michael, and Michael C. Rea. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion. Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008.
  • Palmer, Michael, ed. The Question of God: An Introduction and Sourcebook. London: Routledge, 2001.
  • Quinn, Philip L., and Charles Taliaferro, eds. A Companion to Philosophy of Religion. Oxford: Blackwell, 1997.
  • Stump, Eleanore, and Michael Murray, eds. Philosophy of Religion: The Big Questions. Oxford: Blackwell, 1999.
  • Swinburne, Richard. The Christian God. Oxford: Clarendon, 1994.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)

Variant 1

Essay

Variant 1: 5 reports comprising 2,000 words total

One choice from two assessment variations will be nominated at the time of scheduling, by the lecturer/unit coordinator prior to the start of the unit, published in the unit outline. Students may have topical choices within a given variant, but are not able to make choices outside that set of assessments.

 2000 50.0
Essay

Variant 1: 1 x 2,500-word essay

 2500 50.0

Variant 2

Written Examination

Variant 2: 2-hour written examination One choice from two assessment variations will be nominated at the time of scheduling, by the lecturer/unit coordinator prior to the start of the unit, published in the unit outline. Students may have topical choices within a given variant, but are not able to make choices outside that set of assessments.

 2000 50.0
Essay

Variant 2: 1 x 2,500-word essay

 2500 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 20 Jul, 2021

Unit record last updated: 2021-07-20 14:28:17 +1000