Philosophy METAPHYSICS AND PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION & POLITICAL

God of the philosophers

philosophical theory of God outlining His characteristics like omnipotence, omniscience, omni benevolence and timelessness

Philosophical arguments against existence of God

Cosmological, Moral, Experiential

Cosmological argument against existence of God

Science explains the universe through natural causes, making God unnecessary or improbable

Moral argument against existence of God

Epicur Paradox – how can there be evil if God is good and all-powerful

Experiential argument against existence of God

there is no decisive experience or evidence of the existence of God

Philosophical Arguments for the Existence of God

Cosmological Argument, Moral Argument, Experiential Argument

Cosmological Argument for the Existence of God

The universe exists, but why is there something rather than nothing

Moral Argument for the Existence of God

Without God, objective moral values would not exist

Experiential Argument for the Existence of God

Many people claim to have had spiritual, mystical, or miraculous experiences, which they interpret as evidence of God’s existence

Positive Interpretation of Religion in Philosophy

religion as a foundation for culture, morality, community, and meaning.

Negative Interpretation of Religion in Philosophy

religion is a source of superstition, enslavement, violence, and wishful thinking.

Five Ways of Thomas Aquinas

The Argument from Motion - Everything moves; must be a First Mover

The Argument from Causation - Every effect has a cause; must be a First Cause

The Argument from Contingency - Things exist but could have not existed; must be a Necessary Being

The Argument from Degrees of Perfection - We recognize different levels of goodness; must be a perfect standard

The Argument from Design - The universe is ordered; must be a Designer

Problems of political philosophy

system of governance, identity of rulers, laws of subjects, purpose of government

 Aristotelian model

three good political systems (monarchy, aristocracy and polity) and their deviant counterparts (tyranny, oligarchy, democracy)

Three branches of government

legislative, executive, judicial (Montesquieu)

Constitutionalism

idea that every political system should be based on written constitution

Characteristic of conservatism

order, tradition, family, religion, care for traditional communities

Characteristic of liberalism

freedom, rule of law, emphasis on individuals, human rights

Characteristic of socialism

material equality, state intervention, emphasis on lower classes