Question and Answer

What is Can humans?

Can humans is Archive: know whether the claim "God exists" is true or not?.

How does Can humans Archive:?

Archive: Can humans know whether the claim "God exists" is true or not?

What is Questions?

Questions is such as these have perplexed humans since the first moment we were capable of asking them..

How does Questions perplexed?

Questions such as these have perplexed humans since the first moment we were capable of asking them.

What is Philosophy of Religion?

Philosophy of Religion is Now in  you can explore the questions of divine existence with the tools of epistemology, the branch of philosophy that concerns itself with what we can know.In Professor James Hall, Chair of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Richmond, you have an unusually qualified teacher..

How does Philosophy of Religion can explore?

Now in Philosophy of Religion you can explore the questions of divine existence with the tools of epistemology, the branch of philosophy that concerns itself with what we can know.In Professor James Hall, Chair of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Richmond, you have an unusually qualified teacher.

What is The son of a Baptist minister?

The son of a Baptist minister is (who himself later became a university professor), Professor Hall first trained at a seminary before taking his doctorate in philosophy and embarking on a teaching career nearly 40 years ago.He announces early in the series where he stands on these issues; this is not a course with a hidden agenda, or an exercise in polemic..

How does The son of a Baptist minister became?

The son of a Baptist minister (who himself later became a university professor), Professor Hall first trained at a seminary before taking his doctorate in philosophy and embarking on a teaching career nearly 40 years ago.He announces early in the series where he stands on these issues; this is not a course with a hidden agenda, or an exercise in polemic.

What is we?

we is (And, no, won't let the cat out of the bag here..

How does we won't let?

(And, no, we won't let the cat out of the bag here.

What is The story of Professor Hall's own background?

The story of Professor Hall's own background is and philosophical journey, which he shares with you in Lecture 3, is far too interesting for us to divulge.)AudioFile magazine's review of this course reports that "[Professor Hall] is amiable, humorous, clear, and interesting, and, thankfully, never pedantic."Make no mistake about it: This is a rigorous course in the most positive sense of the word..

How does The story of Professor Hall's own background shares?

The story of Professor Hall's own background and philosophical journey, which he shares with you in Lecture 3, is far too interesting for us to divulge.)AudioFile magazine's review of this course reports that "[Professor Hall] is amiable, humorous, clear, and interesting, and, thankfully, never pedantic."Make no mistake about it: This is a rigorous course in the most positive sense of the word.

What is the great joys of intellect?

the great joys of intellect is One of is using it, and you do so in every lecture.At the same time, philosophy can sometimes be needlessly abstract, and Professor Hall's ability to avoid this hazard makes this course consistently engaging..

How does the great joys of intellect is using?

One of the great joys of intellect is using it, and you do so in every lecture.At the same time, philosophy can sometimes be needlessly abstract, and Professor Hall's ability to avoid this hazard makes this course consistently engaging.

What is he?

he is For example, uses a memorable antacid commercial to illustrate the loss of relevance in a non sequitur argument and a classic Garry Trudeau cartoon to illustrate equivocation in language.Clarity about Tools and TermsThe first eight lectures of the course are foundational..

How does he uses?

For example, he uses a memorable antacid commercial to illustrate the loss of relevance in a non sequitur argument and a classic Garry Trudeau cartoon to illustrate equivocation in language.Clarity about Tools and TermsThe first eight lectures of the course are foundational.

What is You?

You is establish a clear understanding of the terms "philosophy," "religion," "God," and "knowledge."What Do We Mean When We Say "God"?Professor Hall narrows the definition of "God" as used in this course to the God of ethical monotheism: the God of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam..

How does You establish?

You establish a clear understanding of the terms "philosophy," "religion," "God," and "knowledge."What Do We Mean When We Say "God"?Professor Hall narrows the definition of "God" as used in this course to the God of ethical monotheism: the God of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

What is a single God?

a single God is This is deserving of worship..

How does a single God is?

This is a single God deserving of worship.

What is each characteristic of the God?

each characteristic of the God is One by one, of ethical monotheism is put into place:Omnipotence: There are no limits on God's powers.Omniscience: There are no limits on God's knowledge.Omnipresence: There are no limits of distance or separation that affect God.Omniperfection: God must be totally without moral flaw.Aseity: God is not limited by anything external to itself—being, itself, the limit of everything else.Arguments for God's Existence: Ontology, Cosmology, Teleology, and Divine EncountersThe course then explores the major arguments for the existence of God, testing each with the techniques of philosophical thought.The Ontological Argument..

How does each characteristic of the God is put?

One by one, each characteristic of the God of ethical monotheism is put into place:Omnipotence: There are no limits on God's powers.Omniscience: There are no limits on God's knowledge.Omnipresence: There are no limits of distance or separation that affect God.Omniperfection: God must be totally without moral flaw.Aseity: God is not limited by anything external to itself—being, itself, the limit of everything else.Arguments for God's Existence: Ontology, Cosmology, Teleology, and Divine EncountersThe course then explores the major arguments for the existence of God, testing each with the techniques of philosophical thought.The Ontological Argument.

What is this argument,?

this argument, is For famously advanced by St. Anselm and René Descartes, divine existence is entailed by the very concept of Godhood.The Cosmological Argument..

How does this argument, famously advanced?

For this argument, famously advanced by St. Anselm and René Descartes, divine existence is entailed by the very concept of Godhood.The Cosmological Argument.

What is This argument,?

This argument, is famously advanced by St. Thomas Aquinas, holds that the very existence of the world proves the existence of God, without whom there could be no first cause for all of being.The Teleological Argument..

How does This argument, famously advanced?

This argument, famously advanced by St. Thomas Aquinas, holds that the very existence of the world proves the existence of God, without whom there could be no first cause for all of being.The Teleological Argument.

What is This argument,?

This argument, is articulated variously by the psalmist, St. Paul, and William Paley, claims that the magnificent design of the world necessarily implies the existence of a designer..

How does This argument, articulated variously?

This argument, articulated variously by the psalmist, St. Paul, and William Paley, claims that the magnificent design of the world necessarily implies the existence of a designer.

What is Paley?

Paley is argued that if we walk along a beach and find a clock, we assume that a clockmaker created it.Divine Encounter..

How does Paley argued?

Paley argued that if we walk along a beach and find a clock, we assume that a clockmaker created it.Divine Encounter.

What is This argument points?

This argument points is to individuals who are said to have had direct communication with God..

How does This argument points are said?

This argument points to individuals who are said to have had direct communication with God.

What is their reports?

their reports is If are true, then the other arguments are a sinful waste of time because we would have direct evidence of God.The review and testing of these four arguments yields a "Scottish verdict": not proved.Arguments against God's Existence: The Problem of EvilAfter testing the arguments for God's existence, Professor Hall reverses the burden of proof and asks: "Can humans know that God does not exist?"You study the argument that God cannot exist because nature or wicked humans cause innocents to suffer.And you learn the replies (theodicies) that the major religious traditions have marshaled:There is no problem of evil because the world is perfect.Evil is simply the absence of good.Apparent evil exists to serve a larger good: God's purposes are inscrutable to us, and evil is only an apparition caused by our ignorance.Evil done by humans is a necessary consequence of free will, and autonomy given us by God..

How does their reports are?

If their reports are true, then the other arguments are a sinful waste of time because we would have direct evidence of God.The review and testing of these four arguments yields a "Scottish verdict": not proved.Arguments against God's Existence: The Problem of EvilAfter testing the arguments for God's existence, Professor Hall reverses the burden of proof and asks: "Can humans know that God does not exist?"You study the argument that God cannot exist because nature or wicked humans cause innocents to suffer.And you learn the replies (theodicies) that the major religious traditions have marshaled:There is no problem of evil because the world is perfect.Evil is simply the absence of good.Apparent evil exists to serve a larger good: God's purposes are inscrutable to us, and evil is only an apparition caused by our ignorance.Evil done by humans is a necessary consequence of free will, and autonomy given us by God.

What is the opportunity?

the opportunity is Without for evil, there could also be no opportunity for virtue..

How does the opportunity could also be?

Without the opportunity for evil, there could also be no opportunity for virtue.

What is An associated argument?

An associated argument is is that demonic forces cause evil (and this, too, may be a consequence of their freedom)..

How does An associated argument is that?

An associated argument is that demonic forces cause evil (and this, too, may be a consequence of their freedom).

What is case,?

case, is In either God is not the cause of evil.Those who suffer do so because they are being punished or elevated by suffering.This portion of the course also invites a hung jury..

How does case, is not?

In either case, God is not the cause of evil.Those who suffer do so because they are being punished or elevated by suffering.This portion of the course also invites a hung jury.

What is Atheism?

Atheism is is no more an obvious candidate for knowledge than theism is.Tipping over the Chessboard: Faith and TranscendenceYou also study approaches that dispense with logical or empirical "proof" of God.Two lectures explore religious agnosticism: faith without (or against) evidence..

How does Atheism is no?

Atheism is no more an obvious candidate for knowledge than theism is.Tipping over the Chessboard: Faith and TranscendenceYou also study approaches that dispense with logical or empirical "proof" of God.Two lectures explore religious agnosticism: faith without (or against) evidence.

What is You?

You is examine the arguments that proof is irrelevant to faith (and the argument that the demand for proof is a barrier to faith) and their consequences.You also explore transcendentalist claims that God transcends the world and everything in it, and the consequences of this argument.Playing a Different Game: Causes versus IntentionsLogical and empirical explanations, in general, search for causes and effects..

How does You examine?

You examine the arguments that proof is irrelevant to faith (and the argument that the demand for proof is a barrier to faith) and their consequences.You also explore transcendentalist claims that God transcends the world and everything in it, and the consequences of this argument.Playing a Different Game: Causes versus IntentionsLogical and empirical explanations, in general, search for causes and effects.

What is effect"?

effect" is A "caused is not "free" to happen and, therefore, does not have "motives" or "intentions."But religious discourse is profoundly concerned with intentions as an explanation of life and the world.You examine two other approaches to understanding religious claims:Paradigms..

How does effect" is not?

A "caused effect" is not "free" to happen and, therefore, does not have "motives" or "intentions."But religious discourse is profoundly concerned with intentions as an explanation of life and the world.You examine two other approaches to understanding religious claims:Paradigms.

What is Three lectures?

Three lectures is examine religious claims and stories as part of a form of life operating under an alternative paradigm that includes intentionality as one of its basic categories of description and explanation.Language Games..

How does Three lectures examine?

Three lectures examine religious claims and stories as part of a form of life operating under an alternative paradigm that includes intentionality as one of its basic categories of description and explanation.Language Games.

What is Four lectures?

Four lectures is examine religious claims and stories as moves in one or another, possibly nondescriptive, language games, especially a game that consists of stories-told-for-a-purpose..

How does Four lectures examine?

Four lectures examine religious claims and stories as moves in one or another, possibly nondescriptive, language games, especially a game that consists of stories-told-for-a-purpose.

What is stories?

stories is These are that are not to be assessed as true or false, but as functional or dysfunctional, in terms of their life impact.In the last lecture, you retrace the conceptual problems in ethical monotheism that urged its philosophical examination in the first place and the discoveries along the way that have led to characterizing it as we have..

How does stories are?

These are stories that are not to be assessed as true or false, but as functional or dysfunctional, in terms of their life impact.In the last lecture, you retrace the conceptual problems in ethical monotheism that urged its philosophical examination in the first place and the discoveries along the way that have led to characterizing it as we have.

What is philosophy?

philosophy is But, given that is an ongoing reflective enterprise, the very last point is an invitation to all who have worked through this series to carry on the reflection themselves.36 lectures | Average 30 minutes eachWhat is Philosophy?What is Religion?What is Philosophy of Religion?How is the Word "God" Generally Used?How Do Various Theists Use the Word "God"?What is Knowledge?What Kinds of Evidence Count?What Constitutes Good Evidence?Why Argue for the Existence of God?How Ontological Argument WorksWhy Ontological Argument is Said to FailHow Cosmological Argument WorksWhy Cosmological Argument is Said to FailHow Teleological Argument WorksHow Teleological Argument Works (continued)Why Teleological Argument is Said to FailDivine Encounters Make Argument UnnecessaryDivine Encounters Require InterpretationWhy is Evil a Problem?Taking Evil SeriouslyNon-Justificatory TheodiciesJustifying EvilJustifying Natural EvilJustifying Human EvilEvidence is Irrelevant to FaithGroundless Faith is Irrelevant to LifeGod is Beyond Human Grasp, But That's O.K.Transcendental Talk is "Sound and Fury"Discourse in an Intentionalist ParadigmEvaluating ParadigmsChoosing and Changing ParadigmsLanguage Games and Theistic DiscourseFabulation—Theism as StoryTheistic Stories, Morality, and CultureStories, Moral Progress, and Culture ReformConclusions and Signposts.

How does philosophy given?

But, given that philosophy is an ongoing reflective enterprise, the very last point is an invitation to all who have worked through this series to carry on the reflection themselves.36 lectures | Average 30 minutes eachWhat is Philosophy?What is Religion?What is Philosophy of Religion?How is the Word "God" Generally Used?How Do Various Theists Use the Word "God"?What is Knowledge?What Kinds of Evidence Count?What Constitutes Good Evidence?Why Argue for the Existence of God?How Ontological Argument WorksWhy Ontological Argument is Said to FailHow Cosmological Argument WorksWhy Cosmological Argument is Said to FailHow Teleological Argument WorksHow Teleological Argument Works (continued)Why Teleological Argument is Said to FailDivine Encounters Make Argument UnnecessaryDivine Encounters Require InterpretationWhy is Evil a Problem?Taking Evil SeriouslyNon-Justificatory TheodiciesJustifying EvilJustifying Natural EvilJustifying Human EvilEvidence is Irrelevant to FaithGroundless Faith is Irrelevant to LifeGod is Beyond Human Grasp, But That's O.K.Transcendental Talk is "Sound and Fury"Discourse in an Intentionalist ParadigmEvaluating ParadigmsChoosing and Changing ParadigmsLanguage Games and Theistic DiscourseFabulation—Theism as StoryTheistic Stories, Morality, and CultureStories, Moral Progress, and Culture ReformConclusions and Signposts