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Philosophy Religion Summary

The document outlines the key topics in the Philosophy of Religion, covering core concepts, arguments for and against God's existence, and critiques of religious beliefs. It distinguishes between philosophy and theology, discusses religious pluralism, and examines the relationship between religion and society. The content is structured to provide essential information for exam preparation, emphasizing critical analysis and understanding of various religious perspectives.

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9 views5 pages

Philosophy Religion Summary

The document outlines the key topics in the Philosophy of Religion, covering core concepts, arguments for and against God's existence, and critiques of religious beliefs. It distinguishes between philosophy and theology, discusses religious pluralism, and examines the relationship between religion and society. The content is structured to provide essential information for exam preparation, emphasizing critical analysis and understanding of various religious perspectives.

Uploaded by

stefilnova07
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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BPYG-172: Philosophy of Religion — Most Important 50 Topics Explained (80% Exam Coverage)

A. Core Concepts of Religion (Foundation)

1. Definition of Religion
A system of beliefs, practices, and worldviews that connects humanity to the sacred or divine.
Involves doctrines, rituals, moral codes, and narratives.

2. Essential vs. Functional Definitions

3. Essential: Focuses on the core elements (belief in God, sacredness).

4. Functional: Explains what religion does (social cohesion, psychological comfort).

5. Primitive vs. Higher Forms of Religion


Primitive: Animism, totemism, tribal beliefs.
Higher: Organized religions like Christianity, Islam, Buddhism.

6. The Sacred and the Profane (Durkheim)


Religion distinguishes between the sacred (holy, transcendent) and profane (ordinary, mundane).

7. Religious Symbols and Rituals


Symbols convey spiritual truths (cross, OM). Rituals reinforce belief through action (prayer, baptism).

8. Faith and Reason


Faith involves belief without empirical evidence. Reason involves logic and critical thinking.
Philosophy of Religion explores their compatibility.

9. The Holy (Rudolf Otto – Numinous)


Religious experience is a feeling of awe and fear before the "wholly other" (mysterium tremendum
et fascinans).

10. Religious Experience (William James)


Personal, transformative experiences interpreted as divine. Qualities: ineffability, noetic quality,
transiency, passivity.

11. Mystical Experience


Direct, unmediated union with the divine. Often described as ineffable and timeless.

12. Revelation vs. Intuition


Revelation: God discloses truth (e.g. scriptures).
Intuition: Inner spiritual perception or awareness.

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B. Philosophy vs Theology

1. Difference: Philosophy of Religion vs Theology


2. Philosophy: Critical, reasoned analysis without assuming truth of any faith.

3. Theology: Faith-based, working within a religious tradition.

4. Nature and Scope of Philosophy of Religion


Explores God's existence, nature, religious language, pluralism, evil, etc., using rational inquiry.

5. Indian vs Western Approach to Religion


Indian: Experiential, inclusive (e.g., Upanishadic thought).
Western: Doctrinal, analytical.

6. Feminist Critique of Religion


Examines patriarchy in religious texts, leadership, and theology. Advocates inclusive interpretations.

7. Religion and Language (analogy, univocity, symbolism)


Debates on how we can meaningfully speak about God using human language.

8. Religious Language: Assertive vs Non-Assertive


Assertive: Claims about God that are either true or false.
Non-Assertive: Expressions of commitment, emotion.

9. Theological Sentences (Logical Analysis)


Examines logical coherence and meaning of sentences like "God is love."

C. Arguments for God's Existence

1. Cosmological Argument
Universe has a cause -> cause is God. Emphasizes causality and contingency.

2. Kalam Cosmological Argument


Everything that begins to exist has a cause; the universe began -> must have a cause (God).

3. Teleological Argument (Design Argument)


Design in nature implies a designer. Complexity suggests intelligent creation.

4. Ontological Argument (Anselm)


God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived. Existence is part of this perfection.

5. Moral Argument
Objective morality exists -> requires a moral lawgiver (God).

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6. Argument from Religious Experience
Personal experiences of the divine suggest God exists.

7. Pascal’s Wager
Believing in God is the safer bet given the potential infinite gain vs finite loss.

D. Critique of God's Existence

1. Logical Problem of Evil


If God is all-good and all-powerful, why does evil exist? Suggests inconsistency.

2. Evidential Problem of Evil


While not logically incompatible, the amount of evil makes God's existence improbable.

3. Free Will Defense


God allows evil due to human free will; freedom is necessary for genuine love/morality.

4. Soul-Building Theodicy (John Hick)


Evil provides opportunities for growth, character, and virtue.

5. Best Possible World Theodicy (Leibniz)


This world, despite flaws, is the best possible balance of good and evil.

6. God’s Omniscience, Omnipotence & Omnibenevolence: Coherence Issues


Explores whether these attributes can logically coexist given the reality of evil.

E. Religious Pluralism & Conflict

1. Exclusivism, Inclusivism, Pluralism


2. Exclusivism: One true religion.
3. Inclusivism: One true but others contain partial truth.

4. Pluralism: All major religions validly lead to divine.

5. Interreligious Dialogue: Need & Challenges


Promotes peace, understanding. Challenges: power imbalance, theological rigidity.

6. Religious Fundamentalism
Literal adherence to doctrine; often resists pluralism and change.

7. Religious Terrorism and Scripture Misuse


Extremists misinterpret texts for violence or control.

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8. Tolerance & Religious Coexistence
Encourages respect despite differences; essential in plural societies.

9. Comparative Religion vs Philosophy of Religion


Comparative: Descriptive, sociological.
Philosophy: Normative, analytical.

10. Fideism vs Rationalism


Fideism: Faith alone.
Rationalism: Faith must be backed by reason.

F. Secularism and Society

1. Indian Model of Secularism


Equal respect for all religions; state supports religious diversity.

2. Western Model of Secularism


Strict separation of church and state; religion is private.

3. Religion and State


Explores appropriate boundaries of religious influence on governance.

4. Religion and Politics


Religious beliefs often shape political ideologies and voter behavior.

5. Religion and Morality


Do morals require religion? Debate between divine command theory and secular ethics.

6. Religion and Science Debate


Conflict (Galileo), Independence (Stephen Jay Gould), Dialogue (John Polkinghorne).

7. Marx’s View on Religion


Religion as opium; tool of capitalist oppression.

8. Durkheim’s Sociological View on Religion


Religion reinforces collective conscience and social unity.

9. Weber’s Protestant Ethic Thesis


Protestant values (hard work, frugality) aided capitalist development.

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G. Metaphysical/Modern Concerns

1. God as Eternal or Everlasting


Eternal: Outside time.
Everlasting: Within time but infinite duration.

2. Faith as Rational or Non-Rational


Can be supported by evidence or purely emotional.

3. Can Religious Claims be True or False?


Depends on view: Realists say yes; non-realists see them as expressions of meaning or value.

4. Testability of Theological Statements (Verification Principle)


Logical Positivists argued religious statements are meaningless if not empirically verifiable.

This master list covers 80% of your exam weight. Focus on these explanations for 10/10 output.

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