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Home , Argument from miracles

Philosophy of Spring 2019 12:30-2:00 p.m. Waggener Hall, 308

Instructor: James “J.P.” Andrew Email: [email protected] Office: Waggener 410A Office Hours: T/Th 2:00-3:00 and by appointment

Course Description: is the philosophical study of fundamental religious ​ concepts and ideas. In this course, we will survey some of the perennial questions and issues in philosophy of religion, focusing particularly (but not exclusively) on those pertinent to the great monotheistic traditions. Of particular interest will be: (a) classical arguments for the existence of , (b) the (can the existence of evil be reconciled with the ?), (c) the relationship between and reason (is religious faith rationally justifiable?), and (d) (what is a ? Is it ever reasonable to believe that a miracle has occurred?). ​ ​

Learning Objectives: Ideally, three objectives will be met in this course. First, you will ​ familiarize yourself with some perennial problems and topics in the philosophy of religion. Second, you will improve your analytical skills as you critically evaluate arguments and develop your own ideas. Finally, you will improve your written communication skills by generating thoughtful prose about challenging material.

Required Text: Philosophy of Religion: An Anthology (7th Edition), by Louis Pojman and ​ ​ Michael Rea. The few readings not found in the text will be made available on Canvas.

Evaluation: There are a total of 1000 points possible for this course. Your final score will be ​ based upon the cumulative score you receive on ten response papers (worth 40 points each), one term paper (worth 400 points), and a final exam (worth 200 points). Grading will be done on the ​ university's +/- scale, as specified below:

lowest A: 93%, lowest A-: 90%, lowest B+: 87%, lowest B: 83%, lowest B-: 80%, lowest C+: 77%, lowest C: 73%, lowest C-: 70%, lowest D+: 67%, lowest D: 63%, F: less than 63%

**Note**: I do not round. So, for example, even an average of 89.99 is a B+. Bear this in mind ​ ​ from the outset.

A Word of Warning: We will be critically examining ideas in this course that many people hold ​ sacred. While our inquiry will be conducted respectfully and at purely intellectual level (and while I have no personal agenda beyond the learning objectives stated above), just make sure that thinking critically about the existence of God and the rationality of religious is something that you’re up for. It’s my goal to represent both sides fairly, as it were, so regardless of your own religious commitments (or lack thereof), you should expect to feel (intellectually) challenged at various points throughout the term.

Term Paper: You will be required to write one term paper, 5-7 pages in length (given standard ​ formatting). Prompts will be posted on Canvas early in the semester. You will also have the option of writing your own prompt, but you must submit it for my approval no later than Late papers will not be accepted except in extenuating circumstances (e.g., severe illness or family emergency), of which I should be made aware at the earliest date possible.

Final Exam: There will be a cumulative final exam on the evening of Wednesday, May 13th, ​ from 7:00-10:00 p.m. (I have no control over the time of the final!). You must take the exam at the scheduled time (bear this in mind when booking your flight home). Information about final exam policies may be found here https://catalog.utexas.edu/general-information/academic-policies-and-procedures/examinations/. ​ You will need to bring a blue book. I will provide you with a study guide (consisting of key ​ points to focus on) and will host a review session during study days, provided sufficient student interest.

Short Response Papers: You will write ten short (1 page) response papers over the course of ​ the term. A response paper should consist of a brief summary of one of the assigned readings, of ​ ​ a particular section of an assigned reading and an objection or a (developed) critical question. ​ ​ It’s up to you the readings for which you write a response paper, but you must submit five before ​ ​ Spring Break and five after Spring Break. You should bring me a hard copy of your response ​ ​ ​ paper in class on the day we are scheduled to discuss the reading in question. You may not ​ submit a response paper for a reading that has already been covered. You are free to submit ​ more than ten response papers (so, you can keep going until you receive the average response paper grade you want).

Attendance: There is no attendance portion of your grade per se; thus, you are not required to ​ ​ ​ come to class insofar as sanctions will not be imposed upon you for failing to do so. However, ​ ​ we will be discussing ideas and arguments in class that are not in the readings, and you will be held accountable for these ideas and arguments in your work. So, it is really not feasible to do well in this course if you do not plan on being in attendance consistently.

Classroom Conduct: You are expected to be respectful of others at all times in the classroom. ​ This not only means being courteous during classroom discussions but also refraining from such disruptive behaviors as talking to others, texting, preparing for other classes, and leaving class early without notifying me beforehand. Inappropriate classroom conduct may result in points being deducted from your final grade, without your being notified. Cell phones should be silenced and out-of-sight at all times during class. You may take notes on a laptop if you have a strong preference for doing so, but please try to sit toward the back of the classroom, if you do, so that others are not distracted by your screen. You may not use a recording device in class unless you’ve provided me with documentation of a disability necessitating that you do so. In such a case, the recording may be used only for your personal study needs. This is to respect the privacy of your peers.

University Policies

Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty: Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty ​ are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further information, please visit the Student Judicial Services website: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs.

Plagiarism: If you use words or ideas that are not your own you must cite your sources. ​ Otherwise, you will be guilty of plagiarism. To learn more, go to the following URL: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/scholdis_plagiarism.php.

Religious Holidays: By UT Austin policy, you must notify me of your pending absence at least ​ fourteen days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, you will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.

Students with Disabilities: Any student with a documented disability (physical or cognitive) ​ who requires academic accommodations, should contact the Services for Students with ) Disabilities area of the Office of the Dean of Students at 512-471-6259 (voice) or 512-471-4641 (TTY for users who are deaf or hard of hearing), as soon as possible to request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations.

Course Schedule Notes: (1) This schedule is tentative and subject to change. (2) The readings associated with each session should be done prior to class. ​ ​

Introduction 1/21 Syllabus; Course Introduction

The 1/23 The Classical Cosmological Argument”, ; Samuel Clarke, “The Argument From Contingency” 1/28 William Rowe, “An Examination of the Cosmological Argument”; and J.P. Moreland, “The Kalam Cosmological Argument” 1/30 Paul Draper, “A Critique of the Kalam Cosmological Argument”

The 2/4 , “The Watch and the Watchmaker”; , “A Critique of the Design Argument” 2/6 , “Arguments From Design”; Robin Collins, “A Scientific Argument For the Existence of God”

The Moral Argument 2/11 Plato, “The Euthyphro”; Robert M. Adams, “Moral Arguments For Theistic Belief”

The 2/13 St. Anselm, “The Ontological Argument”; Gaunilo, “The Argument From Parody”; , “A Critique of the Ontological Argument”

The Problem of Evil 2/18 David Hume, “The Argument From Evil” 2/20 Gottfried Leibniz, “” 2/27 J.L. Mackie, “Evil and Omnipotence” 3/3 William Rowe, “The Inductive Argument From Evil against the Existence of God” 3/5 Paul Draper, “Evolution and the Problem of Evil” 3/10 Grace M. Jantzen, “Whose Problem Is the Problem of Evil”; J.L. Schelleberg, “Divine Hiddenness Justifies ” 3/12 , “The Free Will Defense” 3/17 Spring Break 3/19 Spring Break 3/24 , “Evil and -Making” 3/26 Daniel Howard Snyder, “Epistemic Humility, Arguments From Evil, and Moral Skepticism”; Eleanor Stump, “The Problem of Evil and the Desires of the Heart” 3/31 Laura Waddell Ekstrom, “Suffering as Religious Experience” 4/2 Michael Murray, “Deus Absonditis”; Michael Rea, “Divine Hiddenness, Divine Silence”

Miracles and Testimony 4/7 David Hume, “Against Miracles 4/9 J.L. Mackie, “Miracles and Testimony” 4/14 , “Of ‘’”; Daniel Bonevac, “The Argument From Miracles”

Faith and Reason 4/16 Richard Swinburne, “The Nature of Faith” Lara Buchak, “Can It Be Rational to Have Faith?” 4/21 , “The Wager” 4/23 William Clifford, “The Ethics of Belief” 4/28 , “The Will to Believe”

TBD 4/30 Open 5/5 Open 5/7 Open

5/13 **Final Exam** (7:00-10:00 p.m.) ​ ​