Six Theories on God Flashcards
Almost done!!!! (33 cards)
What are the Six Theories on God?
- Theism
- Deism
- Atheism
- Agnosticism
- Fideism
- Religious Pluralism
Which philosopher is the Theist?
St. Thomas Aquinas
The medieval period (Catholicism)
Does theism believe in God and evidence that God exists?
If so, what evidence do theists believe in?
Yes
Theists believe in evidence in nature and revelation
Which philosopher is the Deist?
Voltaire
Do deists believe in God and evidence that God exists?
If so, what evidence do deists believe in?
Yes
Deists believe in evidence only in nature and reject revelation
Which philosopher is the atheist?
David Hume
Do atheists believe in God and evidence that God exists?
If so, what evidence do they believe in?
Atheists do not believe in God, nor evidence that God exists
What are the names of the 3 philosophers who are Fideists?
- Kierkegaard
- William James
- Pascal
Do fideists believe in God and evidence that God exists?
If so, what evidence do they believe in?
They believe in God
They believe that there is either no evidence or the argument is evidence-tied.
Which philosopher is the religious pluralist?
Joseph Campbell
Do religious pluralists believe in God and evidence that God exists?
If so, what evidence do they believe in?
They believe in God (metaphorically)
They believe in evidence that God exists in the form of myths
Who is the philosopher associated with Agnosticism?
There is none.
Do agnostics believe in God and evidence that God exists?
If so, what evidence do they believe in?
They believe that the evidence that God exists and does not exist is tied
What is Pascal’s wager?
Which religious belief does Pascal’s wager support?
It is better to believe in God than not believe in God because there are worse consequences to a non-believer than someone who does believe.
Fideism
What are the four potential outcomes detailed in Pascal’s Wager?
God exists, you believe in him (you go to heaven)
God exists, if you don’t believe in him (you go to hell)
God doesn’t exist, you believe in him (nothing)
God doesn’t exist, you don’t believe in him (nothing)
What is the primary objection to Pascal’s Wager?
The “Many Religions” Objection
(Too many religions exist, how do I know which one is the right one to worship?)
What is the pro-religious pluralism argument made by Campbell?
If you observe the world’s mythology and religions, then you will notice patterns and repeating themes/stories, notably the hero’s journey. All of these similarities hint at a “transcendent reality.”
What is the objection made against religious pluralism?
Freud argues that these patterns exist between myths and religions because humans create said stories to fulfill their similar psychological needs.
“Is there evidence of God observable in nature?” Which religious ideologies would say yes and which would not?
Yes: Theism, Deism
No: Atheism, Agnosticism, Fedeism
What is the argument’s name that argues there is evidence of God in nature?
The Design Argument
What is the Design Argument?
There is evidence of God’s existence in nature because of its complex nature. There must be an intelligent designer.
1. The universe is like a watch. It has a complex design
2. A watch has an intelligent designer.
3. Therefore, the universe has an intelligent designer.
What is a Teleological argument? What is a teleological argument we have learned?
A type of argument where you start from the end and reason back.
The Design Argument
What is the name of the objection to The Design Argument?
The Evolution Objection
What is the Evolution Objection?
We can’t find evidence of God in nature.
Why?->
Evolution is an unintelligent process, though it is designed. The design we observe in nature comes from an unintelligent process, not an intelligent designer.
