How might belief in God figure into the good life? In this session, we’ll consider arguments that every rational person should believe God exists. We’ll also ask what role, if any, observation and rational argument should play in religious belief.
Read This:
Interactive Essay: Natural Theology in Aquinas and Anselm
Key Concepts:
- Natural theology
- Aquinas’ Five Ways
- The ontological argument
Have questions or thoughts about the reading? Post them on PollEverywhere, and upvote any classmates’ responses that you’d like to cover in class. We’ll address the most upvoted responses during the Q&A part of class.
Watch This:
Do This:
- Complete Activity #2 of Map to the Good Life before your next dialogue meeting.
- Work on the first section of your Apology essay. The early deadline for extra credit is November 2, and the regular deadline is November 10.
Pre-Class Questions
Your responses to the following questions are due on Canvas before class. Your top 15 scores of the semester will count toward your final grade.
- Create an argument map for one of Aquinas’ Five Ways, and give a possible objection to a specific premise or inference from the argument.
- In your own words, what is “natural theology”? What do you see as the main pros and cons of this approach? Explain.
Living the Good Life
Reflections addressing prompts from the Religion unit (“Take A Leap Of Faith” through “There Is No God”) are due on Canvas by 11:59pm on November 16. You may write up to two “Living the Good Life” reflections in the first half of the semester and up to two in the second half of the semester. You can also revise and resubmit one reflection for a new grade, within one week after your grade is posted. Your top three scores will count toward your final grade.
Write a dialogue in which a believer in God and an atheist discuss one of Aquinas’ Five Ways, Anselm’s ontological argument, or another argument for God’s existence you are familiar with. The believer and the atheist should consider whether the argument is convincing, with the atheist raising one or more specific objections to it.
