Philosophy of religion: Influence of Religious Experiences

What is Swinburne’s Principle of Credulity?

You should believe your own experiences unless given a reason not to.

What is Swinburne’s Principle of Testimony?

You should believe others experiences unless given a reason not to.

Who is Swinburne?

An empiricist who argues experiences of God count as evidence towards belief in God though he admitted it wasn’t complete proof.

How is the Principle of Credulity or Principle of Testimony reasoned?

You cannot simply dismiss evidence or experiences because you feel like it, that is just irrational.

What are the naturalistic explanation for religious experiences?

Factors such as drug or alcohol consumption, head injury, neurological condition, mental disorder or illness, recent fasting, or a history of lying could suggest testimony is incorrect.

What is a defence of Swinburne’s Principles?

We could test for naturalistic explanations as best we can (i.e., neurological conditions can be made visible via a brain scan) and if none are found follow the principles and believe presented evidence.

What is suggested by the phrase “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence”?

Existence of God is by definition an extraordinary claim and as such may require stronger evidence than testimony alone.

What did Freud say about religion?

“Obsessional neurosis” that stems from a fear of death and a desire to be innocent or a child forever.

How is Freud criticised for his views on religion?

Too generalised, as there are many non-neurotic people who are religious. Also he is too unempirical.

How did Freud argue the ‘mystic’ was explained?

A desire to relive childhood experiences before the ‘ego’ has formed fully, which would explain the ‘dissolving sense of self’ described in many experiences. It is attributed to religion.

What is a criticism of Freud’s ‘mystic’ explanation?

Does not account for conversion experiences, such as St. Paul.

Criticism of St. Paul as an example?

Shows signs of epilepsy such as seeing lights, paralysis etc.

Defence of conversion experiences like that of St. Paul?

You can’t diagnose people based on writing of several thousand years ago.

What is Pentecostalism’s relevance to religious experiences?

Pentecostalists aim to recreate the speaking in tongues seen at the Pentecost.

Explain Hume’s multiple claims issue

Any action supposedly taken by God from one religion has invariably been taken by God in another religion. Since logically only one religion can be totally right or supported by God, why would God do that?

What is the main opposition to Hume’s multiple claims issue?

Pluralism- religions can coexist!

What did Hick argue about faith?

It is a way of interpreting reality. It is not inherently right or wrong, everyone has their own interpretation of the world.

What is Dawkins’ book called?

The God Delusion.

What example against religious experiences does Dawkins use?

A couple camping in the Scottish highlands heard a horrible sound they believed was the Devil calling to them, and it was so powerful one became a priest. It was in fact a bird called ‘the Devil bird’.

What explanation does Dawkins believe in for religious experience?

Rejects validity of them, favours naturalistic interpretations, such as psychosis or other mental illnesses.