A general introduction

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations
It Takes More Faith to be an Atheist.
Advertisements

WordDefinition agnosticism not being sure whether God exists atheism believing that God does not exist conversion when your life is changed by giving.
A2 Ethics How to assess arguments and theories. Aims  To discuss various methods of assessing arguments and theories  To apply these methods to some.
William James* “The Will to Believe”
Why study Logic?. Logic is of the greatest importance. Logic is one of the most important courses in a classical education. It is the only course that.
Rights and Wrongs of Belief Clifford, James. W.K. Clifford This short essay remains quite famous today. Clifford is worried about cases it’s.
Argumentation - 1 We often encounter situations in which someone is trying to persuade us of a point of view by presenting reasons for it. We often encounter.
© Michael Lacewing Faith without reason? Michael Lacewing
VOLUNTARIST VIEWS OF FAITH.
The Cosmological Argument (Causation or ‘first cause’ theory)
Belief and non-belief in God Objectives:  To introduce the section ‘Believing in God’ and keywords  To understand and explain what it means to be a theist,
A Conversation Between an Agnostic and a Christian.
Beautiful Question What happens after we die....?.
By Arunav, Aran, Humza.
Give definitions Give an opinion and justify that opinion Explain religious attitudes Respond to a statement – 2 sides.
Chapter 1: The cosmological argument AQA Religious Studies: Philosophy of Religion AS Level © Nelson Thornes Ltd 2008 Revision.
Philosophical Problems January 11, 2015 Pascal's Wager.
Revision Notes Courtesy of Mr Dixon. Instructions This PowerPoint has all the information you need to complete your Revision Booklets for the Science.
Effective participator Atheism and the Media Richard Dawkins Aim: To understand what Richard Dawkins says about religion(L4). Goal: To consider the factors.
Developments in Christian thought…
What does it mean to be atheist and agnostic?
Tutors:Maureen McLachlan & Joanne Duval
THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD Lesson 1 for January 7, 2017.
THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD Lesson 1 for January 7, 2017.
Facing Tough Questions
Quiz: How Humanist Are You?
Hook: Which do you think is correct?
Intuition and deduction thesis (rationalism)
HOW TO WRITE YOUR BODY PARAGRAPHS
How do humanists decide what to believe?
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS (OPINION ESSAYS)
SCIENCE & KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORLD
Evaluation Questions Whether inductive arguments for God’s existence are persuasive. The extent to which the Kalam cosmological argument is convincing.
Explaining the universe
Errors in Reasoning.
Other versions of the ontological argument
Intro to Existentialism
Descartes, Meditations 1 and 2
Spiritual Opportunity Questions
Writing.
Errors in Reasoning.
God's way of leading Bishop Ronald K. Powell.
Theology of the Body for Teens
Do Religious Experiences prove God exists? Discuss in pairs.
On your whiteboard (1): 1. What is innate knowledge? 2. What were Plato’s arguments for innate knowledge? 3. Was he right? Explain your answer.
Concepts of revelation
Think, Pair, Share What is the difference between the experiences of John Nash and those of a religious believer?
Recap So Far: Direct Realism
THE COSMOLOGICAL ARGUMENT.
The Argumentative Essay
Analyze To study something closely and carefully. To learn the nature and relationship of the parts of something by a close and careful examination. Example:
Problems with IDR Before the holidays we discussed two problems with the indirect realist view. If we can’t perceive the external world directly (because.
THE DEBATE BETWEEN COPLESTON AND RUSSELL.
How to write an editorial
The Big Picture Deductive arguments - origins of the ontological argument Deductive proofs; the concept of ‘a priori’. St Anselm - God as the greatest.
The discursive essay.
Introduction to essay writing Date:
What is good / bad about this answer?
MEL-Con Paragraphs Introduction
Read Ch. 6 (p.48) from the Fundamentals of Faith
Philosophy of Religion Arguments for the existence of God
Core Course Knowledge Lesson 6
Core Course Knowledge Lesson 6
Fact and Opinion: Is There Really a Difference
Zimbabwe 2008 Critical Thinking.
Scientific Revolution: Galileo
Religious faith and emotion
Ethics, Philosophy and Religion
MEL-Con Paragraphs Introduction
God is not a Deceiver, Truth Criterion & Problem of Error
Presentation transcript:

A general introduction The nature of faith A general introduction

Faith Revelation Reason

VOLUNTARIST VIEWS OF FAITH B. PASCAL. HIS WAGER/BET.

Where can we use Pascal? In your A2 work, Pascal can be used in questions concerning “theories about the nature of faith” and also in questions that ask “whether faith is more valid if based on reason or revelation.” Let’s look at his Wager......

KEY WORD : Prudence A dictionary defines this as “cautious”, “discretion”, “foresight”, “careful management of resources”, “consideration of your own interests” and so on. So, Pascal is saying that it is prudent to wager that God exists. Why ?....

It is prudent because... It is impossible to prove or disprove God’s existence(this is a clue to his views on reason.) So, he suggests we make a wager that God exists, which he says is a far more prudent/sensible wager than atheism. Why ?...

I believe that God exists God does exist God does not exist Eternal life Nothing happens Clearly, believing is the only “bet” that allows you to gain anything.

I do not believe that God exists God does exist God does not exist Eternal damnation Nothingness Clearly, not believing does not allow you to gain anything. In fact, if God does exist, you positively lose( a lot !)

So, the best bet ... If we presume God exists and live life as if there is a God, there is no gain, but, there is no loss. If life has been lived as though there is a God(positive life), then there is a win-win situation. However, if we live as if there is no God, if there isn’t, no gain but no loss. Live life as if there is no God, if there is, look out ! So, the prudent wager is to live life as if there is a God.

Useful links for essay questions. It is interesting to note that Pascal is saying atheism is unreasonable as it is not a safe bet. Whereas, Kierkegaard says the exact opposite; it is because faith is “risky” that it gains it’s value.

Pascal’s God. Pascal’s God is the God of the Bible, the God of the theologians. It is not the God of the philosophers. Question. What does this mean for his views of revelation and reason ?

God of the Bible. This God is loving, guiding, 3 in one(trinity) and so on. The God of the philosophers is Prime Mover, First Cause and so on.

AO2 Implications. He rejected Natural Theology (using reason to “discover” God.) Hence, his classic quote “the heart has reasons the mind never thought of.” We should “Hear God”. This is an allusion to God’s revelation. Question What do his quotes tell you about his views on reason and revelation?

Revelation and the “wager.” Although faith is not based on reason it is still “reasonable.” This is because the results of the wager show that it is more prudent to believe than to not believe. So, accepting God’s revelation is by far the best bet !

Evaluating Pascal’s wager Challenges Strengths

VOLUNTARIST VIEWS OF FAITH. W. JAMES. THE WILL/RIGHT TO BELIEVE.

James in context The sceptic W.K. Clifford said that :-”It is wrong everywhere, always and for anyone to believe on the basis of insufficient evidence.” QUESTION. Do you agree or disagree ? Say why. James accuses Clifford of risking loss of truth rather than chancing error. James says that no conclusive evidence will ever arrive, so Religious faith cannot be just a matter of the intellect. We simply must decide.

Error? Whatever our decision, yes, no or undecided, there is the chance of error. We also risk loss of truth. The decision cannot be made on intellectual grounds. So, one is justified in deciding on “PASSIONAL” grounds.

WHAT DOES “PASSIONAL” MEAN ? It is the emotional side of our nature that we can base our decisions on. That is, decide according to what best fits with our hopes, fears and so on. James says that this “passional” decision will then be the one which is the most PRAGMATIC (practical) for our own happiness and satisfaction.

AN EXAMPLE TO USE IN AN ESSAY : IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH? What is the most pragmatic decision ?

JAMES’ ANSWER. This is a genuine option, which is living, forced and momentous(see your research on page 5.) The decision cannot be made on intellectual grounds. So, we “lawfully may” make our decision on “passional” grounds. If believing in life after death is the most pragmatic decision for me, that is, what best fits with my “passional” nature , then this belief is justified. This is more pragmatic for me than believing that there is no life after death.

WHAT IF I REMAIN IN DOUBT ? This is still a “passional” decision . He says that being in doubt would be more pragmatic than not believing in life after death, but not as pragmatic as if there was a belief in life after death. QUESTION. Which of the 3 options do you think is the most pragmatic ? Say why.

HOW DOES JAMES DECIDE? He says that a religious person still gains satisfactions here and now. This comes from believing that there is a life beyond. An atheist or agnostic does not expect a life beyond and so does not gain satisfaction from that in this life. A believer will die expecting a life beyond and will not know if s/he is wrong. So, it is more pragmatic for me to believe in it. Therefore, I “WILL TO BELIEVE” that the religious hypothesis is true. I will also live as though it is true. Although religious belief does not come through empirical means, we can get empirical confirmation of the religious belief. How? We can see the positive effects of religion an a person’s life. To those who are not willing to make that decision he would say “live and let live” and “go in peace.”

JAMES CONCLUDED HIS “WILL TO BELIEVE” ESSAY WITH A QUOTE FROM 19TH CENTURY AUTHOR, FITZ JAMES STEPHEN : “In all important transactions of life we have to take a leap in the dark.... If we decide to leave the riddles unanswered, that is a choice; if we waver in our answer, that, too, is a choice: but whatever choice we make, we make it at our peril. If a man chooses to turn his back altogether on God and the future, no one can prevent him; no one can show beyond reasonable doubt that he is mistaken. If a man thinks otherwise and acts as he thinks, I do not see that any one can prove that he is mistaken. Each must act as he thinks best; and if he is wrong, so much the worse for him. Click for more ...

We stand on a mountain pass in the midst of whirling snow and blinding mist through which we get glimpses now and then of paths which may be deceptive. If we stand still we shall be frozen to death. If we take the wrong road we shall be dashed to pieces. We do not certainly know whether there is any right one. What must we do? ' Be strong and of a good courage.' Act for the best, hope for the best, and take what comes. . . . If death ends all, we cannot meet death better.”

QUESTION. Work through the previous quote word by word, sentence by sentence. Explain why James chose this quote to end his work. How does it “fit” with his “will to believe” theory of faith ? Pass your answer to another member of the class and take someone else’s answer. What can you add to their work? Have they found something you didn’t ? Add it to yours.

KEY WORDS FOR JAMES. Task PRAGMATIC. GENUINE OPTION. LIVING. FORCED. INCLUDE THESE IN AN ESSAY Task PRAGMATIC. GENUINE OPTION. LIVING. FORCED. MOMENTOUS. PASSIONAL. Write a paragraph on each, saying what part they play in his Voluntarist view of faith.

Half term Homework Has to be done for Monday 2.11 Use the textbook and WJEC booklet Complete all the question and activities on Tennant’s voluntarist view of faith on pages 7, 8 and 9. You will need to think carefully about your answers. Revise everything we have learnt so far – your mocks are fast approaching!!

VOLUNTARIST VIEWS OF FAITH. F.R. TENNANT. “THE FAITH VENTURE.”

Key terms Subdoxastic Utopia Voluntarist

The ‘sub-doxastic venture’ model of faith. F.R.Tennant holds a view of this kind: he takes faith to be the adoption of a line of conduct not warranted by present facts, that involves experimenting with the possible or ideal, venturing into the unknown and taking the risk of disappointment and defeat. Faith is not an attempt to will something into existence but rather treating hoped for and unseen things as if they were real and then acting accordingly (Tennant 1943/1989 p.104).

PRELIMINARY POINTS. Tennant said : “belief in God becomes reasonable if the idea of God be found indispensable for the explanation of the totality of our scientific knowledge about the individual mind.” Class discussion : What did he mean by this? Break it up into sections and jot down some notes.

Faith and Belief Faith is defined as “willing adventure” that plays a part in all discoveries. It reaches the “ideally possible.” Belief is defined as that which is “concerned with fact or actuality.” Class discussion : What’s the difference between faith and belief? What has this to do with a voluntarist view of faith?

FAITH IN RELIGION AND SCIENCE. A hypothesis is needed in both. Both need to make this hypothesis real/actual by acting on it. “Every machine of human invention” has come about this way. Both, therefore need the “faith venture.” Without this venture nothing new would be discovered. Columbus’ discovery of America is given as an example. There is no guarantee that this “faith venture” will be guaranteed. It involves risks. But, a discovery is only made if risks are taken. So, Religion and Science are similar in the need for this “faith venture.” Activities Suggest a hypothesis for both. (point 1.) What must then be done in point 2? Using “adventure” as a clue, write a few sentences on what taking the “faith venture” may mean for both. (point 4.) Why do you think Tennant used Columbus as an example? (point 6.) What risks may be involved in both? (point 7) Write a paragraph to sum up why Religion and Science are similar in the “faith venture.” (point 9.) What has this to do with the Voluntarist theory of faith?

Views of faith – Voluntarist - What do you know? Pascal – not based on reason James – faith and reason Life after death example Tennant – faith and reason Science and religions Influenced … ‘The will to believe’ Subdoxastic Choosing/voluntarist 1. Argument 1 - Superdominance Can’t make a decision on intellectual grounds Why does he believe there are similarities between religion and science? God reveals rather than 3. Argument 3 - Pascal’s God Key terms Faith venture, pragmatic, genuine option, ideally possible, living, Columbus, prudent, forced, expectation, momentious, science, utopia,

Summary of