Philosophy of Religion

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the Philosophy of Religion lecture.

Religion

A set of beliefs, actions, and experiences organized around a concept of an Ultimate Reality.

Ultimate Reality

The concept that inspires or requires devotion, worship, or a focused life orientation in religion.

Classical Theism

Belief that God is a transcendent spiritual being, omnipotent, omniscient, and perfectly good.

Monotheism

The belief in a single, all-powerful God.

Polytheism

The belief in multiple gods.

The Abrahamic religions

Religions connected through the worship of the God of Abraham.

Salafism

A conservative movement within Sunni Islam that promotes a return to the practices of the earliest Muslims.

Wahhabism

A strict form of Sunni Islam that originated in Arabia in the 18th century.

Gnosticism

A religious movement emphasizing personal spiritual knowledge over orthodox teachings.

Sufism

Islamic mysticism that seeks a personal experience of God.

Philosophy of Religion

The attempt to analyze and critically evaluate religious beliefs in terms of consistency, coherence, and reasonableness.

Meaningful beliefs

Beliefs about how reality could be.

True beliefs

Beliefs that correspond to the way reality is.

Probable beliefs

Beliefs that are more likely to be true than false.

Consistent beliefs

Beliefs that can be true together.

Coherent beliefs

Beliefs that fit well together.

Explanatory power

The ability of beliefs to enlighten us about key areas of reality and human affairs.

Narrowly analytic approach

Focuses solely on clarifying beliefs and analyzing the validity of arguments.

Broadly analytic approach

Analyzes beliefs and identifies the most correct and fruitful positions.

Faith

A personal commitment to the reality described by religious beliefs.

Rational evaluation

The obligation to engage in reasoned assessment of faith-based beliefs.

Religious beliefs

Claims about religion that can be evaluated rationally.

Reflective reason

Engaging in careful consideration of important issues and beliefs.

Obligation to be rationally responsible

The duty to critically assess the acceptance or rejection of faith.

Non-Trinitarianism

Christian beliefs that reject the traditional doctrine of the Trinity.

Eastern Orthodoxy

A branch of Christianity, distinct from Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.

Rabbinic Judaism

The mainstream form of Judaism based on the teachings of the Rabbis.

Adventism

Christian denominations that believe in the imminent return of Christ.

Latter Day Saints

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons.