Philosophy and ultimate questions

Topics and Overview Arguments for God (design, cosmological or 1st cause, miracles, experience) Revelation - special and general and examples of each Problem of evil and suffering and responses to it – not in the mock Miracles- what are they? Examples of them from history and scripture, why people do or don’t believe them Exam is 1 and a half hours long – 70 minutes for the mock Ensure you read all instructions carefully. Ensure you choose your questions carefully-spend time reading them and considering your answers. Look at how many marks each question is worth!

Cosmological Argument Problems Scientists say time began with the Big Bang. Arguable to say there was anything before it. It’s inconceivable anything could go on forever- but theists claim God does. Did God require a cause (perhaps not, if God existed before time)? If something was the first cause (God) does it have to be a personal God, not just a different form of nature? Cosmological theory (aka First Cause) Developed by St. Thomas Aquinas Everything is caused by something else There must have been something to start off everything else. God is the uncaused 1st cause. The unmoved mover. He has always existed. This idea is works well / is supported by the Big Bang theory.

Design Argument Teleological argument (design argument) Problems Universe works so well there must have been a designer. Developed by William Paley. Universe shows purpose and complexity. Everything that has these qualities is designed e.g. a watch. Universe infinitely more complicated. Designer = God. Problems Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution destroyed this argument. Things weren’t designed for us. We evolved. Why are some things in nature designed ‘badly’

Miracles Miracles Are miracles proof of God? Miracles are usually seen as – an act of God going against natural laws helpful or good for people Many religious people consider God to be immanent- he may interfere in our world through miracles Miracles are often very personal Miracles problems Things might be a coincidence People interpret things differently Why doesn’t God act for everyone? Why do miracles happen to undeserving people?

Religious Experience Religious experience Visions- e.g. Teresa of Avila claimed to have seen God in visions Conversion- St Paul on the way to Damascus General revelation- Feeling God’s presence e.g. prayer, scripture, nature Problems Is it made up? Consciously or unconsciously? Can we trust the experience of others? Without evidence how can these be proved?

Argument from Morality Do people all over the world have the same concepts of what is right and wrong? If there is it must be: non-human as we all live and die and created and lose ideas must be intelligent as there is logic to our morality has to be good as our morality is good Kant said the only answer is God Problems Does everyone have the same moral code? If there is a ‘voice’ telling us right and wrong then that presents a problem with serial killers

Special General Revelation – Unit 2 Direct revelation from God. Usually has a profound effect upon the person or people. Isn’t available for everyone. E.g. Saul General Available for all, not all choose to see it. God made clear through things like nature, scripture, prayer etc.

Revelation Special from faiths - Saul (St. Paul), and Moses and the burning bush, Mohammed in the Cave of Power Problems Difficult to prove Often to individuals May be mad, lying, attention seekers, etc

Revelation General- from nature Problem Difficult to prove Is it really evidence? Imperfections in nature Nature is beautiful Nature is clever It is complicated Design and purpose May invoke awe and wonder in people

Revelation General - from worship Charismatic Singing, dancing etc. Feeling the Holy Spirit during worship Sacramental From the word sacrifice, altar- bread and wine- being blessed by God Contemplative Meditation- maybe appreciating creation. Finding answers through contemplation

Revelation General- from scripture Bible- describes God’s nature, what He has done, rules for us to live by etc. Qur’an- actual word of Allah. Contains rules etc. and has his 99 names

Revelation General - Through people, conscience and behaviour Realize through our conscience how God wants us to be See through the actions of religious leaders how we should act e.g. Martin Luther King jr. Loosely connected to moral argument for God

Miracles – Unit 3 Traditionally they are seen as things that go against the laws of nature. Normally associated with God or religious or supernatural significance. Miracles are always good, but sometimes this means the greater good and an initial appearance of unkindness / punishment

Miracles Miracles from scripture- In the Gospel of Mark. Jesus makes a blind man called Bartimaeus see again. Also in Mark feeding of the 5000 from 5 loaves of bread and two fish The raising of Lazarus

Miracles From outside of scripture - from experience- In 1995 and 2006 Ganesha statues were drinking milk People have got better (or claimed to) from injuries doctors have said they will never heal from (example – Lourdes) Also, stigmata and weeping icons Lourdes- Bernadette Soubitous saw the Virgin Mary at the age of 14. She saw her 18 times. About 5,000,000 go a year and many people claim to have had miraculous cures / healing

Miracles David Hume on miracles Hume was a famous Scottish philosopher If something has been seen before in nature then it so not a miracle. Miracles aren’t part of nature or normal experience. Miracles are not natural (go against laws of nature) A wise man bases his belief on evidence- the more the better Any witness statement needs challenging- It has to be believable than alternatives to be accepted as valid. Accounts of miracles in history have never been seen by huge numbers of people who are reliable- their testimonies are not credible. Anyone who is religious is likely to exaggerate or misinterpret the evidence- their testimony must be discounted.

Miracles Against Hume on miracles If people claim to have witnessed a miracle, do not focus on if you believe the miracle, but if you can believe them. People would not naturally lie about something that would lead themselves into disrepute. Improbable does not mean impossible. We should not presume to know every way nature can works (only God fully understands)

Evaluation and/or multiple views Test Practice Key words and phrases Quick answers Expanding an answer Religious references Evaluation and/or multiple views Timing

Key words and phrases Aquinas / Hume / Paley / cosmological / design / moral / revelation Atheist Theist Monotheist Polytheist Agnostic Transcendent Immanent Personal Impersonal Eternal Omnipotent Omniscient Infinite Free will

Quick Answers Answer the 1 or 2 point questions Each question should take around 30 seconds to a minute

Expanding an answer For 3 or 4 mark questions you should expand your answers. Examples of unexpanded answers … A belief is we are all stewards of the Earth. Equality and unity is demonstrated on Hajj. Examples of expanded answers … A belief is we are all stewards of the Earth. This is due to teachings in the Old Testament in which humans are required to care for God’s creation, even while maintaining dominion over it. Equality and unity is demonstrated on Hajj, one purpose of this pillar of Islam. This is through the shared rituals and progression of all pilgrims. It is also through the sharing of resources, and the wearing of near identical pilgrimage garb / clothing. Note: it is possible to expand through listing sub-points, adding a counter point, or linking it to a broader religious reference or understanding.

Religious references – expand rather than just state them [Religious people] commonly believe [action / moral] as shown by [action / reference]. This means [extension through explanation / expectation or example] and [further detail] though [counter-point]. Hindus commonly believe all nature should be considered as sacred, as shown by a common creation story in which all life extends from Brahma. This means that many Hindus believe God both creates life, and dwells within all life, and God’s nature is shown through the universe as a whole but especially by all that may contain the ‘divine spark’, even while God will eventually destroy and reform creation and all life in the universe in the form of Shiva. Note – it is best that for highly level questions some references are direct quotes.

Evaluation and/or multiple views 5/6 mark questions often request multiple points of view. Also, they are often based around one statement. “If more people were religions, the negative effects of prejudice and discrimination would decline”. Basically, each point can be 1-4 marks, depending how fully it is expanded. Many points will leave to 2-3 marks only, so it is a good idea to have 3 referenced points where possible, or 2 references points where not. Religious teaching … ‘Good Samaritan’ … Religious example … Jesus …Buddha … Inequality in religion … between faiths … caste system … Specific tolerance in religion … “There is no compulsion in religion” … Modern society and discrimination … women clergy … responses to homosexuality … Three of these five areas fully expanded upon could easily lead to 6 marks out of six. This could only work however if the religious link is clear, accurate, precise/succinct, and fully explained. For some points it may be harder to note specific examples rather than general observations.

Timing Complete all the test questions in the 22.5 minutes provided Afterward Self evaluate if … You answered ½ questions quickly, and spend a significant amount of time on 5/6 point questions You answered in a full sentences, at least for 3-6 mark questions Peer evaluate if … You have a clear religious reference for 4-6 mark questions You have more than one point of view in every question that asks for it (usually 4- 6 mark questions) You have religious references for each point of view, or a reference to someone’s view on religion