Philosophy of Religion

Much work in philosophy of religion deals with metaphysical questions related to theism, beginning with the question whether God exists. Those are important and difficult issues (and receive treatment in other courses in the philosophy department). In this class, we will set those questions aside in order directly to examine the experiences, attitudes, and practices that characterize many forms of religious life. In particular, we will look at the three so-called "theological virtues" - faith, hope, and love - along with related practices of worship, prayer, and forgiveness. We will also consider the significance of suffering in different religious traditions. The questions we take up will include the following: What does it mean to have faith in God, and can that be reasonable? What would be the point of praying to an all-knowing God? Why is forgiveness especially prominent in religious contexts, and what does it look like to love your neighbor - or your enemy? Is there something problematic about worshiping God? And do religious hopes amount to abandoning our current stations? No prior experience in philosophy is required. Prerequisites: none