1. 2) Who said ‘you can’t cross the same river twice?’
Rapid Recall!
Fill in the table with what you remember from memory! Prizes for the first correctly filled in one!
1) What is a Particular?
2) Who said ‘you can’t cross the same river twice?’
3)What does the sun represent in Plato’s Analogy of the Cave?
4) What does telos mean?
5) What is the Demiurge?
6) How does the Prime Mover cause movement?

2. How do these pictures link to our learning last lesson?
Think, Pair, Share
How do these pictures link to our learning last lesson?

3. Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!
Learning Outcomes
To be able describe the concept and types of a Conversion experiences (Grade C).
To be able to explain, in detail, James’ and Starbucks’ views on conversion experiences (Grade B).
To be able to evaluate the concept of conversion experiences (Grade A).
Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!

4. Cow time! Literacy Target
Check that you have spelt all the key words correctly.
Conversion
Veridical
Volitional
Take the time to check over the rest of your work for any other spelling mistakes.
Ask for a dictionary or use the internet to check over any words that you are not sure are correct.

5. Types of conversion
There are basically two forms of mental occurrence which lead to a difference in the conversion process:
A conscious and voluntary experience – volitional type (Gradual conversion)
An involuntary and unconscious experience – self-surrender type (Sudden conversion)
The volitional type features a gradual change and consists of the slow development of new moral and spiritual habits. It may be the case that the person suddenly ‘becomes aware’ of the change one day.

6. Examples of conversions
Religious conversion is likely to include a change in belief on religious topics, which in turn leads to changes in the motivation for one’s behaviour within the social environment. As a result, it is appropriate to speak of intellectual, moral or social conversions:
Intellectual conversions: A change in the way of thinking about something.
Moral conversions: A change in behaviour so that the individual does what is thought to be right.
Social conversions: An acceptance of a different way of life or worship.

7. Examples of conversions
You need to include examples in your essay to support your points! Complete the example chart in your notes:
Type of Conversion
Example
Intellectual Conversion
St Augustine reports that at one time his vision of life was Manichean, a view of reality which taught that there was an evil force equal to God. Eventually Augustine rejected that view and embraced Christian faith.
Moral Conversion
Social Conversion
Stretch yourself: Find out about John Wesley’s conversion experience. What type was it?
Top Philosopher: What would Freud say about religious experiences?

8. Writing an argument in ... ‘S!
Work in pairs to write a paragraph explaining the Conversion experiences.
You will each spend half of the time writing, when you are not writing you must be checking what the other person is writing against the checklist.
I will tell you when to swap the writer!
Checklist:
Start one sentence with ‘However.’
Include at least two philosophers.
Use an example to explain the view further.
Use a range of technical terms such as Volitional.
Stretch yourself:
Include an synoptic link as a little thinker.

9. Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!
Learning Outcomes
To be able describe the concept and types of a Conversion experiences (Grade C).
To be able to explain, in detail, James’ and Starbucks’ views on conversion experiences (Grade B).
To be able to evaluate the concept of conversion experiences (Grade A).
Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!

10. Sort the cards out into a Zig-Zag with for and against arguments…
‘Only conversion experiences should be accepted as veridical’ Discuss. (40 marks)
Sort the cards out into a Zig-Zag with for and against arguments…
For
Stretch yourself:
To reach a better A02 grade you must always link your arguments. E.g. However Starbuck would disagree with James because…..
Number the cards in the order you would put them in an essay!
Against
For
Against
Top philosopher:
Include two synoptic links on your zig-zag!

11. Freud:
Links religion with a neurosis caused by childhood insecurities and the desire for a father figure to protect us, like God. Religious experiences are hallucinations that have a simple psychological explanations. This makes religious experiences similar to wishful thinking.
Edwin Starbuck: Most Religious conversions happen to people between 15-24, however interestingly non-religious people this age go through depression etc. and then find an identity after. This caused Starbuck to make parallels between conversion experiences and psychological experiences.
William James:
James saw conversion experiences as a transformation from a divided imperfect self to a more unified consciousness.
If someone changed over a period of 20yrs then it wouldn’t be so special, but the fact that it happens so quickly and some changes are permanent gives a powerful piece of evidence for the existence of God.
Hume:
Different religions claim to see the deities of their religions, e.g. a Hindu may see Vishnu, whereas a Christian may see Jesus and a Muslim see the Prophet. Conflicting claims in different religious traditions cancel each other out.
Kant:
Even if there is a realm beyond our own, it is impossible for us to experience it. God is outside of the phenomenal world.

12. Richard Swinburne:
He said we should follow two Principles:
Principle of Credulity; what one sees is probably right.
If we constantly rejected things we’d end up doubting everyday ordinary experiences which is absurd.
Principle of Testimony; if there isn’t evidence stating the opposite then one should believe the testimony of religious experience.
Peter Vardy:
UFO criticism of Swinburne – that would need to verify the experience, can’t accept your own view from face value, you wouldn’t immediately say you have seen a UFO you’d go to a radar station for confirmation. Hence Swinburne would be wrong to say one should just accept the testimony
Maurice Wiles :
God’s actions should not be for particular instances but be on the world as a whole, otherwise this would create problems such as being arbitrary [actions based on random choice] and partisan [supporting one side].
If God does intervene why is there suffering? Why not intervene when a child suffers? Therefore the goodness of God and RE are incompatible.

13. We can do Conclusions!
‘Only conversion experiences should be accepted as veridical.’ Discuss
(35 marks).
Let’s make sure your conclusion is well argued…
You must include in your arguments the following words and phrases.
However
Consequently
On the other hand
Therefore
James
Individual
Psychological
Stretch yourself:
Free will
Empirical
Subjective
Veridical
Truth

14. Mini White Boards Describe one example of a conversion experience.
Explain one the view of one Philosopher who supports conversion experiences.
Explain the view of one philosopher who criticises conversion experiences.
Do you think conversion experiences are veridical? Explain your reasoning.

15. Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!
Learning Outcomes
To be able describe the concept and types of a Conversion experiences (Grade C).
To be able to explain, in detail, James’ and Starbucks’ views on conversion experiences (Grade B).
To be able to evaluate the concept of conversion experiences (Grade A).
Aiming for an A*? Try to complete the ‘Top Philosopher’ tasks!