Phil 32 Spring 2007
Philosophy of Religion
Instructor: Meg Wallace
First
Paper Topic
Assignment:
Please choose ONE of the following paper topics. Papers should be 4-6
pages in length, due in class Febuary 14, 2007. Rough drafts are
strongly encouraged, but not mandatory. I will be accepting rough
drafts no later than Monday,
Febuary 12. Drafts will be accepted only during my office hours,
NOT over email. I will have extended office hours (which I will give
more details about in class). Please email me or talk to me if you have
any questions.
1. Lay out formally, and then put into your own words, the Cosmological
Argument for the existence of God. Make sure you are explicit about
whether you are laying out the Argument from Causation or the Ardument
from Contingency. Do you think that this is a valid
argument? Why or why not? Do you think that all of the premises are
true? If not, which ones do you think are false and why? What do you
think is the most convincing objection to this argument? Discuss.
2. Lay out formally, and then put into your own words, the Teleological
Argument for the existence of God. What kind of argument is this? Do
you think that this is a strong
argument? Why or why not? Do you think that all of the premises are
true? If not, which ones do you think are false and why? What do you
think is the most convincing objection to this argument? Discuss.
3. Lay out formally, and then put into your own words, the Ontological
Argument for the existence of God. Do you think that this is a valid
argument? Why or why not? Do you think that all of the premises are
true? If not, which ones do you think are false and why? What do you
think is the most convincing objection to this argument? Discuss.
4. Free-Wheeling
Incorporating the material that we have covered in the readings and in
class the last few weeks, construct your own thesis. Make sure that you
(i) you have a clear thesis, (ii) that you argue for and support your
thesis adequately, and (iii) that you show mastery of the material
covered both in class and out.
Note: you should come see me before picking this topic to ensure that
your paper adequately satisfies (i)-(iii).
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