Philosophy B and C

What is the Big Bang Theory?

The theory that the universe began about 13.8 billion years ago from a single point which rapidly expanded.

What does “creation ex nihilo” mean?

Creation out of nothing by God.

What is the Day-Age Theory?

Each “day” in Genesis represents a long geological age.

How do liberal Christians view the Big Bang?

God used the Big Bang as the method of creation.

Which Quran verse is linked to the Big Bang?

Quran 21:30 — “The heavens and earth were joined together, then We split them apart.”

Who argued science and religion are complementary?

John Polkinghorne.

What is stewardship?

Human responsibility to care for creation on God’s behalf.

What is dominion?

Authority over nature and animals given by God.

What does Genesis 2:15 teach?

Humans should tend and care for the Earth.

What is Khalifah in Islam?

Humanity’s role as Allah’s stewards on Earth.

Why do Humanists support environmental protection?

Scientific evidence and concern for future generations.

Give one argument FOR animal experimentation.

It helps develop life-saving medicines and vaccines.

Give one argument AGAINST animal experimentation.

Animals suffer pain and distress.

What are the 3Rs?

Replacement, Reduction and Refinement.This is so that animal testing is causing limited harm

What did Peter Singer argue about animals?

If animals can suffer, they deserve moral consideration.

What is Imago Dei?

The belief humans are made in the image of God.

What is evolution?

Species developed gradually through natural selection.

Who developed the theory of evolution?

Charles Darwin.

What is theistic evolution?

The belief God guided evolution.

What evidence supports evolution?

Fossils, genetics and comparative anatomy.

What is sanctity of life?

The belief that life is sacred because it is given by God.

What is quality of life?

The belief life should be meaningful and free from unbearable suffering.

Which Bible verse supports sanctity of life?

Jeremiah 1:5 — “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”

Which Quran verse supports sanctity of life?

Quran 6:151 — “Do not take a life which Allah has made sacred.”

What is abortion?

The deliberate ending of a pregnancy before birth.

What does the Catholic Church teach about abortion?

It is always wrong because life begins at conception.

When may some Muslims allow abortion?

In exceptional circumstances before 40 or 120 days.

What is a key pro-choice argument?

Women should have bodily autonomy.

What is a key anti-abortion argument?

The foetus has a right to life.

What is euthanasia?

Deliberately ending life to relieve suffering.

What is voluntary euthanasia?

A person requests their own life to be ended.

What is passive euthanasia?

Withdrawing treatment and allowing natural death.

Why do most Christians oppose euthanasia?

Life is a gift from God and only God should end it.

Why do Humanists often support euthanasia?

They prioritise dignity and quality of life.

What is resurrection?

Rising from the dead into eternal life.

What is Purgatory?

A Catholic state of purification before heaven.

What is Jannah?

Islamic paradise.

What is Jahannam?

Islamic hell.

What is Barzakh?

The state between death and judgement in Islam.

What is the Design Argument?

The universe’s complexity and order suggest an intelligent designer.

Who developed the Watchmaker Analogy?

William Paley.

What is the Watchmaker Analogy?

Just as a watch implies a watchmaker, the universe implies a designer.

Give one strength of the Design Argument.

Fine-tuning in the universe appears unlikely by chance.

Give one weakness of the Design Argument.

Evolution explains complexity without God.

Which philosopher criticised the Design Argument?

David Hume.

What is the First Cause Argument?

Everything has a cause, so the universe must have a first cause: God.

Who developed the Cosmological Argument?

Thomas Aquinas.

What is the “Uncaused Cause”?

God — the being that caused everything else but was not caused.

Give one strength of the First Cause Argument.

The Big Bang suggests the universe had a beginning.

Give one weakness of the First Cause Argument.

If everything needs a cause, what caused God?

What is a miracle?

An event that breaks natural laws and is caused by God.

What is Christianity’s central miracle?

The resurrection of Jesus.

What did Hume argue about miracles?

It is more likely witnesses were mistaken than natural laws broken.

Why do believers trust miracles?

Miracles transform lives and strengthen faith.

What is moral evil?

Evil caused by human actions, e.g. war or murder.

What is natural evil?

Suffering caused by nature, e.g. earthquakes or disease.

What is the Free Will Defence?

God allows evil because humans have free choice.

Who developed the Free Will Defence?

Alvin Plantinga.