Theism Philosophy Exam 3

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts discussed in a lecture series on the existence of God, including arguments for and against God's existence.

Knowledge of God

The awareness or understanding of God's existence and nature.

Theism

The belief that one or more gods exist.

Atheism

The belief that there is no God or gods.

Agnosticism

The absence of belief or withholding judgment about the existence of God.

Cosmological Argument

An argument for the existence of God that posits a first cause or necessary being that explains the existence of the universe.

Ontological Argument

A philosophical argument that asserts God’s existence through the concept of God as the greatest possible being.

Teleological Argument

An argument that infers the existence of God from the order or design in the universe.

Problem of Evil

An argument against the existence of God that highlights the existence of evil, suffering, and injustice in the world.

Moral Evil

Evil that results from human actions or choices.

Natural Evil

Suffering caused by natural occurrences, like earthquakes or diseases.

Fine-Tuning Argument

A recent teleological argument suggesting that the precise conditions necessary for life indicate intentional design by a creator.

Necessary Being

A being whose existence is not contingent or dependent on anything else, often used to argue for the existence of God.

Wholly Good

The attribute of God that signifies perfect goodness in every aspect.

Omnipotent

Having unlimited power; God is considered all-powerful in traditional theology.

Omniscient

Having complete and infinite knowledge; God is believed to know all truths.

Transcendent

Existing beyond or apart from the physical universe; God is understood as beyond the cosmos.

Collins' Argument

A philosophical argument that addresses the compatibility of God's existence with the presence of evil in the world.

Clark’s Theological Model

A framework for understanding the relationship between God’s attributes, specifically addressing the nature and implications of divine goodness.

Rowe's Evidential Problem of Evil

An approach that argues the existence of pointless suffering challenges the existence of an all-good, all-powerful God.

Divine Attributes

Qualities ascribed to God, including omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence.

Philosophical Theology

The study of God and religious phenomena that applies philosophical methods to theology.

Faith vs. Reason

The discussion surrounding whether faith can stand independently of rational justification.

The Nature of Suffering

Exploration of the philosophical implications of suffering in relation to the existence of a benevolent God.

Existentialism and Theism

The interaction between existentialist philosophy and theistic belief, particularly regarding meaning and existence.

The Problem of Evil

Centering on the contradiction between the existence of an omnibenevolent God and the presence of evil in the world, questioning how both can coexist.

Free Will Defense

A common theistic response asserting that evil exists because God granted humans free will, which allows for moral choices.

Justification of Suffering

The perspective that suffering can lead to personal growth, character development, and a deeper understanding of faith.

Soul-Making Theodicy

A theodicy which proposes that hardships and suffering are necessary for spiritual growth and development of virtues.

Transcendental Argument for God

An argument suggesting that the existence of logical absolutes and moral values necessitates a transcendent being, typically identified as God.

Natural Theology

The attempt to understand God and divine attributes through reason and observation of the natural world, rather than through revelation.

Theodicy

The defense of God's goodness and omnipotence in light of the existence of evil, often seeking to explain why God permits suffering.

Moral Argument for God's Existence

The argument asserting that if moral values exist, then God must exist as their source, since objective morals cannot arise from a purely naturalistic worldview.