PHIL4424 · Philosophy

Approaches to the Philosophy of Religion: Historical, Phenomenological, Hermeneutic, and Analytic

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

This course examines four approaches in the philosophy of religion: historical investigation, phenomenology, hermeneutics, and analytic philosophy. In examining these approaches, we will consider key terms including faith, reason, religion, belief, philosophy, theology, and god(s), as well as contemporary philosophers working in these fields including Alasdair MacIntyre, Robert Sokolowski, Merold Westphal, W. K. Clifford, W. James, N. Wolterstorff and others. The course will consider questions such as: What are faith and reason and are they compatible? Does religion require people to believe irrational things? Can a religious person be more and less reasonable In her belief, or is all religious belief equal, private, and, therefore, arbitrary? How can we think about ethical commitment within and outside of religious commitment? Satisfies the following distribution requirement(s) for Philosophy: Knowledge & Reality, History of Philosophy.