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Phil 214-01:
Philosophy of Religion

4:00 - 5:15 TuTh -- FH 310

Fall 2007
Professor:
Douglas Shrader, Ph.D.
Distinguished Teaching Professor & Chair of Philosophy
325 Fitzelle, 607- 436-2456
Email: Shradedw@Oneonta.edu email Professor Shrader
Office Hours:
Tu:    1:30 - 4:00
Th:    1:00 - 1.50
and by appointment
Course Description:
Philosophical study of both Eastern and Western religions. Examines epistemic and metaphysical presuppositions of religion, including the influence of modern science. Analysis of belief, truth, symbolism, and the limits of language.
Format
The course, conducted in seminar fashion, will draw content and direction from three texts, listed below. Background, perspective, and additional content will be provided via lecture, internet sources, videotapes, etc. Students are expected to become involved in the issues and will be encouraged to do some serious thinking of their own.

The first segment of the class, utilizing Daniel Quinn's underground classic Ishmael , raises questions concerning spiritual identity and responsibility which will be explored in greater depth as the course progresses.

The central portion of the class focuses on issues and controversies typical of the field known as “Philosophy of Religion.” Topics include debate concerning the existence and attributes of divine beings, foundations of religious belief, the nature and eventual fate of the soul (if any), concepts of karma, foundations of morality, and implications of religion for day-to-day life.

The final segment marks a return to questions and issues with which the class began. Through the Tao te Ching, students will find fresh perspectives and vantage points from which to rethink Ishmael as well as more traditional issues in Philosophy of Religion. Hopefully, they will also find a framework from which to better evaluate their own spiritual journeys.

Texts
Quinn -      Ishmael (Bantam Books, 1992)
Shrader -   Philosophy and Religion (McGraw-Hill, 2003)
Malhotra - Wisdom of the Tao te Ching (Global Scholarly Publications, 2006)
Grades
Based on three take-home essay exams (90%) and attendance/participation (10%).  Late assignments will not be accepted without advance arrangement and adequate justification.  Extra credit will be available for those who wish to pursue additional research/activities.
Due Dates

          First Essay: October 2
          Second Essay: November 6
          Final Essay: December 18

Note: Interim reports will be based on the first essay, class attendance and participation. Students are encouraged to meet with the professor throughout the semester to discuss assignments, expectations, and grades.
Course Attributes
LA (Liberal Arts), ICD (Cultural Diversity), WS2 (Writing Skills) and CW (Communication Skills: Writing)
books Assignments
Part I: Ishmael -- A Place to Begin
Week 1 8/30  
 Prelude
Week 2 9/4-9/6
 Ishmael: chapters 1-4; Shrader: pp. 1-19 ("In the Beginning");  On-line : Genesis Ch 1-4, 12-13, 15-16 
Week 3 9/11
 Ishmael: chapters 5-9; Shrader: pp. 20-37 ("The God of Israel");  On-line : Genesis Ch 17-18, 21-22
Week 4 9/18-9/20
Ishmael: chapters 10-13; On-line: selected passages from the Quran: Creation (35: 1-17), Iblis/Satan and "The Fall" (2:27-40, 7:11-27, 15:26-50, 17:61-67, 18:51, 20:116-128, 26:90-102, 38:71-85), Cain and Abel (5:27-34), Abraham and Ishmael (19:41-55), Judgment Day and Guardian Angels (82 and 86), Judaism and Christianity (4:163-173, 5:68-93)
Week 5 9/25-9/27
On-line: Exodus Ch 1-20; Shrader: "Religion in America: The Intelligent Design Controversy": Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) or Word (.doc)

Part II: Finding Reasons to Believe (or not)
First Essay due 10/2
Week 6 10/2-10/4

Plato (Euthyphro, Apology, and Phaedo) and Anselm (S: 38-96) [Traditional Proofs: Part I]
Week 7 10/9-10/11    
 Aquinas and Paley (S: 97-110) [Traditional Proofs: Part II]  Live video streams of "Bridging Worlds" (a series of three talks by the Dalai Lama in Ithaca) are available on-line:  http://www.namgyal.org
Week 8 10/16-10/18  
 Hume and Kant  (S: 111-125) [Traditional Proofs: Part III]
Week 9 10/23-10/25
Dostoyevsky, Davis (S: 126-141) and Haught [Problem of Evil]
Pascal and James ("The Will to Believe") (S: 142-147, 158-166) [Choosing to Believe]
Week 10 10/30-11/1  
 James ("Varieties of Religious Experience" x 2), Davis, Scholem (S: 167-202), and Shrader: "Seven Characteristics of Mystical Experiences": Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) or Word (.doc) [Religious Experience]
 
Part III: Spirit and Nature -- How Should I Live?
Second Essay due 11/6
Week 11 11/6-11/8
 Augustine, Tolstoy, and Davis (S: 209-241); On-line: Matthew Ch 5-7 (Sermon on the Mount) and  Luke Ch 12 [Christian Thought]     
Week 12 11/13-11/15
Epicurus, Epictetus and Seneca (S: 242-263) [Classical Greek and Roman Thought]
and Confucius, Mo Tzu, Mencius, and Hsun Tzu (S: 264-308) [Chinese Thought]
Week 13 11/27-11/29
Thiry, Davis, Camus, and Radharkrishnan (S: 309-331) [Free-Will, Determinism, and Karma]
Week 14 12/4-12/6
 Tao te Ching : Book I (chapters 1-37, pp. 1-40)
Week 15 12/11-12/13
 Tao te Ching : Book II (chapters 38-81, pp. 42-87)
Final Essay due 12/18
Week 16 12/18  
Final Class Meeting (11:00-1:30 p.m.)

Note

  • This syllabus represents honest intention, not contractual obligation. The professor reserves the right to adjust assignments, requirements, and dates as the class proceeds. Students should consult the on-line version of the syllabus on a weekly basis to make sure they have up-to-date materials.
    • Supplemental Materials
    Resources and Links on the World Wide Web
    		 www
    Website constructed and maintained by
    Douglas Shrader / Department Chair
    Shradedw@Oneonta.edu

    email Professor Shrader
    Originally Posted: August 17, 2007
    Last Updated: October 23, 2007