Expanded Study Guide: Philosophy of Religion

Flashcards covering key definitions and arguments in the philosophy of religion, including types of arguments, logical forms, proofs for God's existence, and challenges to religious belief.

Deductive Argument

An argument where the premises are supposed to guarantee the conclusion; if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true.

Validity (Logic)

When a conclusion follows logically from its premises, regardless of whether the premises are actually true; refers to the correct 'shape' or form of an argument.

Soundness (Logic)

A deductive argument that is both valid and has premises that are all actually true.

Modus Ponens

A logical form known as 'affirming the antecedent': If P, then Q. P. Therefore, Q.

Modus Tollens

A logical form known as 'denying the consequent': If P, then Q. Not Q. Therefore, Not P.

Hypothetical Syllogism

A logical form connecting conditional statements: If P then Q. If Q then R. Therefore, If P then R.

Disjunctive Syllogism

A logical form involving an 'either/or' statement: P or Q. Not P. Therefore, Q.

Dilemma (Logical Form)

A logical form involving two conditional statements and a disjunction: If P then R. If Q then R. P or Q. Therefore, R.

Circular Argument / Begging the Question

An argument that assumes its conclusion in one or more of its premises instead of providing independent proof.

Inductive Argument

An argument where the premises make the conclusion probable, but do not guarantee it.

Abductive Argument (IBE)

Inference to the Best Explanation; choosing the most probable and coherent explanation for observed phenomena.

Omnipotent

The characteristic of an All-Perfect Being meaning 'all-powerful', capable of performing all logically possible actions.

Omniscient

The characteristic of an All-Perfect Being meaning 'all-knowing', possessing knowledge of past, present, and future.

Omnibenevolent

The characteristic of an All-Perfect Being meaning 'perfectly good, loving, and just'.

Anselm's Ontological Argument

An argument for God's existence based on the definition of God as the 'greatest possible being,' asserting that such a being must exist in reality to truly be the greatest.

Ontological Argument

A deductive, a priori argument for God's existence, relying on reason rather than sensory experience, often critiqued by the 'perfect island' parody.

Aquinas' First Way (Motion)

An argument that since things are in motion but cannot move themselves, there must be a First Mover, identified as God.

Aquinas' Second Way (Causation)

An argument that every effect has a cause, and an infinite regress of causes is impossible, leading to a First Cause, identified as God.

Aquinas' Third Way (Contingency)

An argument that since contingent beings (which could not exist) do exist, there must be a Necessary Being who cannot not exist, identified as God.

Aquinas' Way (Design)

An argument that the observable order and complexity in nature (e.g., laws of physics, DNA) points to an intelligent Designer, identified as God.

Cosmological Argument

A family of arguments for God's existence that begins with observed facts about the universe (like contingency, causation, motion) and concludes that God is the best explanation or necessary cause.

Contingent Being

A being whose existence is dependent on something else and could either exist or not exist (e.g., humans, trees, planets).

Necessary Being

A being that cannot not exist; its non-existence is impossible (e.g., God, mathematical truths).

Problem of Evil & Suffering

The challenge to the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God, given the presence of evil and suffering in the world.

Antony's Position on Evil

Accepts the 'evidential problem of evil' (that evil makes God's existence unlikely) while rejecting the 'logical problem' (that evil completely disproves God).

Euthyphro Argument

A philosophical dilemma asking whether something is good because God commands it, or if God commands it because it is inherently good, challenging divine command theory.