Philosophy of Religion (A2)
Assessed by extended essay (coursework):
January
The knowledge, understanding and skills developed in studying the related AS
Module will be assumed in this module.
The required knowledge and understanding to make the connections assessed in
the relevant synoptic unit are incorporated in the content specified for this module.
Therefore, students need to be familiar with the whole of the module even if they are
being assessed by extended essay.
Content
(a)
Distinctions between body and soul in the thinking of Plato, John Hick and
Richard Dawkins; other concepts of the body/soul distinction;
o different views of life after death: resurrection and rebirth,
o the relative coherence of these concepts, and
o the implications for the problem of evil of these views;
o questions surrounding the nature of disembodied existence,
o the concepts of heaven and hell.
(b)
Revelation: the concept of religious experience, and a consideration of the
following different forms of religious experience: visions, voices, ‘numinous’
experience, conversion experience, corporate religious experience such as
the ‘Toronto Blessing’;
•
•
(c)
the concept of miracle, and criticisms made by Hume and Wiles;
the implications of the concept of miracle for the problem of evil;
the concept of revelation through holy scripture: the view that
scripture is divinely inspired; different approaches to an
understanding of the nature of sacred writing.
Religious language:
•
•
•
the via negativa (Apophatic way);
the verification and falsification principles: discussions of the
meaningfulness of religious language;
the uses of symbol, analogy and myth to express human
understanding of God.
Assessed by extended essay
The extended essay must be submitted in (or before) January. You answer one
question from three offered in October. Your answer is written under coursework
regulations. It is submitted to and marked by external examiners.
The coursework titles for January 2005 are as follows:
1. ‘An embodied life in heaven is entirely possible.’ Discuss.
2. ‘Compared with other types of religious experience, conversion provides the
strongest evidence that such experiences do come from God.’ Discuss.
The essay is approximately 2000-2500 words. It is worth 30% of the A2 marks
(15% of A Level overall)
Essay Plan Outline
Introduction
Define key terms (A01)
Explain your selection (A01)
Introduce your point of view (A02)
Main Paragraphs
Clear Heading for what this paragraph will be about (A01)
Names of scholars and key concepts that you are going to use (A02)
- include summary explanation of each concept
What will this paragraph contribute to your argument? (A02)
- how does it relate to your point of view?
Conclusion
-
Importance of your argument for the wider context (A02)
main implications of your argument for religious experience/body-soul
distinction
Summary of your point of view (A02)
READING LISTS:
Please note: this reading lists does not contain material from the
Internet. Please conduct your own Internet searches and let other
class- members know if you find anything good.
Topic one, Resurrection of the Body
Basic
Richards, Philosophy of Religion Ch.8, God and the Afterlife
Tyler, AS/A-level Religious Studies Questions and Answers pp.55-59
Tyler, AS/A-level Exam Revision Notes pp.96-107
Core
Brown, Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction with Readings Part 1: Life
After Death, pp.5-51
Clack & Clack, The Philosophy of Religion Ch 5 part II: Immortality
Cole, Philosophy of Religion Chapters 9 & 10 Davies, Philosophy of Religion: A
Guide and Anthology Pt VIII: People and Life after Death
Davies, An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion, Ch 11
Hick, The Philosophy of Religion Chss. 10 & 11: Human Destiny
Jackson, Plato: A Beginner’s Guide pp.38-44
Jordan, Lockyer & Tate Philosophy of Religion for A-level Ch 13, Life After Death
Meynell, ‘People and Life After Death’ in Davies (ed.) Philosophy of Religion: A
Guide to the Subject, pp.286-310
Pailin, Groundwork of Philosophy of Religion Ch 9
Peterson, Hasker, Reichenbach & Basinger Reason and Religious Belief Ch.
10
Rowe, Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction Ch. 10
Thompson, Teach Yourself Philosophy of Religion Ch 5, The Self
Vardy, The Puzzle of God Ch. 18, Eternal Life
Webber Philosophy of Religion 6: Life After Death: this is a tiny volume, so
difficult to spot on the shelf, but well worth reading.
Advanced/Additional
Badham ‘Problems about Resurrection of the Body’, in Brown, Philosophy of
Religion: An Introduction with Readings, pp.133-136
Down, ‘Death in Classical Daoist Thought’ in Philosophy Now, June/July 2000
Fearn, ‘Astral Projection and Out-of-Body Experiences’, in Philosophy Now,
July/August 2003.
Hick, Death and Eternal Life: dip into this, especially Part IV, Chapters 14 &
15.
Hick, Classical and Contemporary Readings in the Philosophy of Religion:
see Contents page xi, section on Human Destiny.
Holm & Bowker Human Nature and Destiny: use the index to find references
to ‘body’, ‘immortality’, and ‘resurrection’.
Nagel, What Does It All Mean? Ch. 9, Death.
Peach, ‘Death, Faith and Existentialism’ in Philosophy Now June/July 2000
Rowe & Wainwright Philosophy of Religion: Selected Readings Part VII,
Death and Immortality
Runzo, Global Philosophy of Religion Ch 8
Swinburne, The Evolution of the Soul: dip into Parts II & III
Ward, Religion and Human Nature, Ch 7: The Embodied Soul