What has this got to do with religious language?

Basil Mitchell’s ‘parable of the partisan’

Learning outcomes To be able analyse Hare’s concept of Bliks. To be able to critically evaluate the Falsification Principle.

Basil Mitchell Mitchell disagreed with the theory of ‘bliks’ and suggested another way, using another parable. Mitchell claimed that religious belief and therefore religious language was based upon fact (it is cognitive), although they are not straightforwardly verifiable or falsifiable. He used the idea of a resistance fighter to make his point.

The parable of the Partisan and the Stranger Research the parable and answer the questions: What or who do the partisan and the stranger represent? What is it that enables the partisan to continue to trust the stranger? In what ways is this trust put to the test? Is the partisan blind to the difficulties posed by the stranger’s behaviour? Stretch yourself: What has Mitchell’s parable got to do with the concept of faith? Answer in your notes.

Mitchell’s parable: What does it mean? Mitchell draws a parallel of a man (the stranger) claiming to be the leader of a resistance movement – it seems that he supports the fight but sometimes seems to help the enemy. One could choose to trust him despite the contrary evidence. So with God: one could trust in God while recognising the contrary evidence: that he allows evil and suffering, or disbelief.

Hare vs Mitchell ‘God loves us’ is in the end, either true or false, even if at the moment we cannot offer a definitive test for it and just have to choose whether or not to trust the claim. In this respect, Mitchell also differs from Hare in that Hare claimed our ‘bliks’ are groundless whereas, for Mitchell, the partisan’s trust in the stranger is not groundless. The partisan makes a deliberate choice to trust the stranger because of the impression made on him when they first met.

Think, pair, share A: Explain Hick’s analogy of the celestial city B: Explain Swinburne’s analogy of the toy’s in the cupboard. A: Explain Hare’s analogy of the paranoid lunatic. B:Explain Mitchell’s analogy of the freedom fighter.

Evaluation zig-zag Complete the zig-zag in your groups. Zig-zag from arguments that support and criticise if religious language is meaningful. For Against Stretch yourself: To reach a better A02 grade you must always link your arguments. E.g. However Ayer would disagree with Hick because….. For Against Top Philosopher: For each main philosopher, include a little thinker…

If these are the answers, what are the question… Verification Falsification Gardner Toys Flew Bliks Ayer

Create a revision resource the on falsification principle! You must in include: Flew Popper Swinburne Hare Mitchell To be able analyse Hare’s concept of Bliks. To be able to critically evaluate the Falsification Principle. Stretch yourself: Include R.B Braithwaite (you need to research more on him!)