PHIL30520 Philosophy of Religion

Academic Year 2024/2025

In this course, we will engage with some of the central questions in the philosophy of religion -- the philosophical study of religion and religious belief. Unlike theology, which typically takes place *within* a given religious tradition and therefore takes the fundamental truths of that tradition as a starting point, philosophy of religion investigates religion and religious belief 'from a logical point of view' -- we are interested in investigating some of the fundamental assumptions, concepts, and arguments underpinning religious traditions, in particular those of the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). It follows that both believers and non-believers alike can engage productively and enjoyably with the questions we address. No prior knowledge of, or commitment to, any particular religious tradition is either required or assumed.

In terms of structure, the module is divided into two parts. Part I is taught by Dr Lisa Foran from Weeks 1-6, and Part II is taught by Prof. Christopher Cowley from Weeks 7-12.

Part I will focus on continental philosophy of religion from the 20th and 21st centuries. It will introduce students to thinkers such as Derrida, Levinas, Heidegger, Ricoeur, Kristeva, Irigaray, Marion, and Kearney (some and not all of these thinkers will be covered). The question in this part of the course will be: what does 'god' name? Does it make sense to talk about certain experiences as 'divine' without necessarily believing in 'God' understood in the Abrahamic (Christian, Jewish, or Muslim) sense? What impact does religion have on society, for example, in terms of race and gender?

In Part II, Prof. Cowley will look at three concepts that are central to most religious world-views, but especially to Christianity: faith, love and ethics. We will try to define each; we will compare religious and secular versions of each; and we will look at the sort of interpersonal conflicts that each might generate.