Philosophy of Religion Exam 3

What role do symbols play in the dynamics of faith

1. They’re the only language that is able to express someone's ultimate concern. It doesn’t have to be a finite thing. 

What role does uncertainty play in Kierkegaard's understanding of faith

1. Necessary for faith- the uncertainty shows passion for faith, the object of your faith has to be uncertain 

Why should Zhuangzi be understood as an antirationalist

1. Antirationalism: does not reject reason all together but does reject that reason alone should not be relied on for faith. Reason hinders religion because it does not allow fluidity in thoughts. 

What are hicks 3 responses to religious diversity

Exclusivism- only one religion is true and all others are false.

Inclusivism- other religions may have some truth but one's own faith is superior.

Pluralism- holds that all religions are true

How did historical and scientific truths relate to the truth of faith for tillich

1. Says that historical and scientific facts are different from faith so you can't use them to denounce it. Historical recollection of religious events is more symbolic.

How does Kierkegaard understand and define faith

1. Believes that you can only get the truth through indirect communication. You have to be authentic in religion. He presents his Spheres and states most are stuck in ethical or aesthetics but to have true faith you have to be in the religious sphere because this is genuine.

In what philosophically relevant ways are Kierkegaard and Zhuangzi different

1. different religions, different qualms with the use of reason. Zhuangzi is concerned about becoming overly emotional but Kierkegaard believes that emotion is a big part. 

What is the criterion of the truth of faith- mention the protestant principle

1.  a tradition should always have some self critique and not claim self certainty and there should be some doubt as s necessary part of faith. Symbols should be self negating. The protestant principle states that Nothing finite can hold power over God.

Why is Kierkegaard considered the father of existentialism

1. Existentialism is concerned with authenticity and capturing the human experience. Kierkegaard is also concerned with authenticity and believes that someone who says they are Christian should practice it.

What are Kierkegaard's three spheres

1. The first sphere is the aesthetic spheres: people only do things for pleasure. The second is the ethical sphere- takes hold of infinity like stoics and monks. The final is the religious sphere- a genuine reckoning of the tension between infinite and the finite. He believes that most people are in the ethical or aesthetic

What does "Subjectivity is truth” mean? A contrast with objectivity may be helpful

1.  A subjective truth is a personal relationship with truth. In a subjective truth, as put by Kierkegaard, a person is always”becoming” and truth is not static. While objective truths are concrete truths. “Subjectivity is truth” means that how a person relates to truth is just as important as the object that it is being related to. 

What is antirationalism, and how does it differ from rationalism and irrationalism?-

1. Anti rationalism is the rejection of the idea that reason alone can properly orient a person towards religious life

2. Irrationalism is a rejection of reason in the service of your own commitment.

3. While rationalism states that reason is the source for establishing a religious truth

Why should Kierkegaard not be understood as an irrationalist

1. Kierkegaard is not to be understood as an irrationalist because he believes that Christianity is actually true, and that Christianity offends a reasonable person. While an irrationalist rejects reason in service of their own commitment. Kierkegaard understands that someone who is reasonable would be offended by Christianity. 

What is the role of doubt and courage in Tillich’s notion of faith?

1. He believes that faith includes an element of uncertainty, and to accept this is courage. He believes that doubt it a necessary element, and a consequence of faith. 

What does it mean to have a faith which is “idolatrous” for Tillich?

1. An Idolatrous faith is one that puts finite things over the ultimate concern. 

Essay: Compare 2/3 responses to the problem of religious diversity (Tillich,Hick, or Abe). Include an explanation of why religious diversity might pose a challenge for religious individuals, a thesis on which response you find most compelling (or if you think all three are inadequate), and a brief argument on why.

Tillich believes that the metaphysical doesn’t matter, -religion is concerned with your symbols of faith.- no problem with major religions conflicting historically because the metaphysical realities do not concern him.

Hick believes that all religions are kind of true using Kant’s Transcendental Idealism. He believes that everyone has the same ultimate but finds it in different ways.