An Introduction to Philosophy for Theology (AP8000C)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

The unit provides an overview of some major concepts and thinkers in the Western philosophical tradition that are relevant for the study of theology. It is suitable both as a preparation for theological studies and also as an introduction for students wishing to pursue further philosophical studies. Thinkers studied will include some or all of Plato, Aristotle, Anselm, Aquinas, Descartes, Locke, Hume, Kant, Nietzsche, Gadamer and Heidegger. Themes studied will include some or all of the following: arguments for the existence of God, the classical attributes of God, religious language, natural law, political philosophy, the human person, ethics and the nature of the good, the problem of evil, and the nature of scientific knowledge.

Unit code: AP8000C (Approved)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Philosophy

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically expound the key differences between philosophy and theology, and their interrelations.
2.

Outline the fundamental ideas, positions and arguments of the thinkers studied in the unit.
3.

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the major arguments of the thinkers presented in the unit and appraise their substantive positions.
4.

Reflect on the relevance of the thinkers and arguments considered in the unit for theology.
5.

Demonstrate the capacity to research a specific topic in a critically rigorous, sustained and self-directed manner.

Pedagogy

Lectures and discussion of primary texts

Indicative Bibliography

  • Allen, Diogenes. Philosophy for Understanding Theology. London: SCM, 1985.
  • Allen, Diogenes and Eric O. Springsted, eds. Primary Readings in Philosophy for Understanding Theology. Leominister: Gracewing, 1992.
  • Bonsor, Jack A. Athens and Jerusalem: The Role of Philosophy in Theology. New York: Paulist, 1993.
  • Clark, Kelly J., Richard Lints, and James K. A. Smith. 101 Key Terms in Philosophy and Their Importance for Theology. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2004.
  • Davies, Brian. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
  • Flint, Thomas P., ed. Christian Philosophy. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1990.
  • Grondin, Jean. Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1994.
  • McCabe, Herbert. God Matters. London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1987. Moreland, James P., and William L. Craig. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2003.
  • Morris, Thomas. V. Our Idea of God: An Introduction to Philosophical Theology. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1991.
  • Rowe, William L., William J. Wainwright, and Robert Ferm, eds. Philosophy of Religion: Selected Readings. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)

Variant 1

Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper

Variant 1: seminar paper

One choice from two assessment variants 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 assessment variant, but are not able to make choices outside that set of assessments.

 1000 20.0
Essay

Variant 1: Essay

 3000 50.0
Written Examination

Variant 1: 2-hour written examination

 2000 30.0

Variant 2

Essay

Variant 2: Essay

One choice from two assessment variants 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 assessment variant, but are not able to make choices outside that set of assessments.

 2000 40.0
Essay

Variant 2: Essay

 4000 60.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 22 Jul, 2020

Unit record last updated: 2020-07-22 16:18:55 +1000