second year course outlines 2012-2013 - School of Social Sciences ...

Communication:
Students must read their University e-mails regularly, as
important information will be communicated in this way.
Examination period: Monday 13 th May 2013 – Friday 7 th June 2013
Re-sit Examination period: Monday 19 th August 2013 – Friday 31 st August 2013
Please read this course outline through very carefully as it provides essential information
needed by all students attending this course
This course guide should be read in conjunction with the Philosophy Study Guide.
Copies may be obtained from the Undergraduate Office, G.001 Arthur Lewis Building or from
the SoSS intranet at: http://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/intranet/ug/handbooks/
2. ABOUT THE COURSE
Summary
This course provides a detailed introduction and analysis of the central problems and issues
in contemporary philosophy of religion.
The questions that we will consider include: Can we prove God’s existence by reason alone?
Is the evidence of ‘fine tuning’ conditions in the universe a good reason to believe that God
created it? Is it either consistent or plausible to believe that there is a God given the amount
of evil in the world? Can we ever be justified in believing that a miracle has occurred? Is
religious belief rational if there is no evidence in its favour? What is the relationship between
scientific and religious belief?
In the course of examining these topics we will look at major 20th century and contemporary
writings on religious belief and language, including work by Ludwig Wittgenstein, Alvin
Plantinga and Richard Swinburne.
Aims
- Engagement with some of the most central and enduring problems in philosophy of religion;
- Enhance your power of critical analysis, reasoning and independent thought, and your
ability to bring those powers to bear on important philosophical issues;
- Familiarise you with some of the most interesting and provocative texts in contemporary
work on philosophy of religion.
Learning Outcomes
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