Philosophy of Religion: Theism, Atheism, and Ethics of Belief

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the existence of God, arguments for and against theism, and the philosophy of belief.

Theism

The belief in the existence of a personal God who has created the world.

Atheism

The belief that God does not exist.

Agnosticism

The belief that while there may be a God, we cannot know of God's existence due to limited knowledge.

Ontological Argument

An argument for God's existence based on the concept of God as the greatest conceivable being.

Cosmological Argument

An argument for God's existence based on the existence of the universe and the need for a first cause.

Design Argument

An argument for God's existence asserting that the order and complexity of the universe imply a designer.

Moral Evil

Evil that results from human actions, suggesting moral responsibility.

Physical Evil

Suffering caused by natural disasters or diseases, posing challenges to theism.

Faith

A belief in God that does not rely on empirical evidence.

Religious Experience

Personal experiences that are interpreted as encounters with the divine.

Ethics

The study of what is right and wrong, originating from the Greek word 'ethos' meaning 'correctness'.

William Kingdon Clifford

Philosopher known for his view that it is wrong to believe without sufficient evidence.