PHIL 320

Philosophy of Religion

Spring Quarter 2008

Dr. Jeff Johnson

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This quarter we will be examining one of the deepest and most ancient philosophical problems in all of western theology.  Hume's character, Philo, states the problem in the following way.

Is [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? then He is impotent.

Is [God] able, but not willing? then He is malevolent.

Is [God] both able and willing? whence then is evil?

Western theism is founded on the notion that God is both able (He is omnipotent) and willing (He is perfectly good).  Thus, Hume's question: Whence then is evil?  Some of the finest minds in contemporary philosophy of religion have tried to deal with the perplexing question.  Some of them have come to the conclusion that the only answer available is that God does not exist.  Others, however, have offered exciting, and sometimes truly original, answers from within the theistic framework.  It is sometimes claimed that there is never progress in academic philosophy.  I would argue, however, that our understanding of the problem of evil stands as a clear counter-example to that facile understanding of contemporary philosophy. 

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UWR Outcomes for Upper Division Writing Intensive Courses:

• Students will produce at least 5,000 words (including drafts, in-class writing, informal papers, and polished papers); 2,000 words of this total should be in polished papers which students have revised after receiving feedback and criticism.

• Students will practice the forms of writing and reflect upon the nature of the writing used by graduates and professionals in the discipline the course represents.

• Students will write at least one paper integrating information from more than one source, employing the appropriate documentation style for the discipline represented by the course.

• Students will draft, revise, and edit their formal written work.

• Students will seek assistance from a Writing Tutor in the Writing Lab when needed and when referred by the instructor.

Additional Outcomes:

• Understand the divine attributes

• Understand the logical problem of evil

• Understand the evidential problem of evil

• Understand some of the most important contemporary "theodicies."

• Reading contemporary philosophical texts with critical understanding

• Use personal academic writing to clarify ones own position of the problem of evil

Means of Assessment and Grading:

• Ten take-home quizzes on weekly readings and class discussion -- Top nine quizzes 50% of course grade (outcomes 1-6)

• A 15 to 20 page analytical paper exploring one aspect of contemporary discussion of the problem of evil -- 50% of course grade

• Extra credit option: article précis for 75% of assigned readings -- one grade "bump" for either the cumulative quiz grade, or the analytical paper grade, whichever is less

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ACADEMIC HONESTY

I am including below Eastern's Academic Honesty Code.  It is vitally important that you carefully read it, and that you understand that it is my intention to follow this code to the letter.  I really can't think of a better way to ruin your experience with this course, than to disregard this code.  Obviously, if you have any questions, I can't urge you too strongly to ask me.

ACADEMIC HONESTY CODE

All members of the Eastern Oregon University academic community are responsible for compliance with its Academic Honesty Code. Students are required to report violations to the respective faculty member of a course. Provisions of the Academic Honesty Code are:

1. Collaboration while taking any quizzes, in-class examinations, or take home examinations without the instructor's written approval is forbidden. The faculty member is responsible for defining limits for other collaborative learning activities for each course.

2. Plagiarism or representation of the work of others as one's own is forbidden. The faculty member will make clear the format for properly citing sources of information not original by the student.

3. Explicit approval by all instructors is required if the same work is to be submitted to more than one course, even if is not within the same term.

Violations of the Academic Honesty Code may result in both academic and behavioral penalties including possible suspension or expulsion from the University.

An automatic grade of zero for any work which is a violation of the Academic Honesty Code will be assigned by the instructor. The instructor may also assign a grade of F for the course after discussion with the respective School Dean. Students may appeal the course grade to the respective School Dean, who is the final level of appeal on the matter of course grade penalties for academic dishonesty.

The faculty member is also required to file a disciplinary complaint to the Vice President for Student Affairs about any student believed to have violated the Academic Honesty Code. If deemed appropriate, hearing procedures will be implemented by a University Hearing Officer as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Possible sanctions considered by the Student Conduct Committee include probation, suspension, and expulsion.

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TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR

	MON	TUES	WED	THURS	FRI
1	Course introduction	Divine attributes Problem of Evil PowerPoint	Hume on evil Hume pts 10 & 11 PowerPoint	Hume on evil PowerPoint	Take-home quiz 1
2	Mackie on evil Reading PowerPoint	Mackie on evil	Pike on evil PowerPoint	Pike on evil	Take-home quiz 2
3	Penelhum on evil PowerPoint	Penelhum on evil	Johnson on evil	Analytical Papers PowerPoint	Take-home quiz 3
4	Johnson on evil PowerPoint	Johnson on evil	Van Inwagen on "Ideal Agnostics" PowerPoint	Johnson on evil	Take-home quiz 4
5	Rowe on evil PowerPoint	Rowe on evil	Freewill PowerPoint	Freewill	Take-home quiz 5
6	Wykstra on evil PowerPoint	Wykstra on evil	Wykstra on evil Aunt Harriet	Wykstra on evil	Take-home quiz 6
7	Van Inwagen on evil PowerPoint	Van Inwagen on evil	Van Inwagen on evil	Van Inwagen on evil	Take-home quiz 7
8	Hick on evil	Hick on evil	SPRING SYMPOSIUM	Alston on evil	Take-home  quiz
9	MEMORIAL DAY	Alston on evil Peer review -- Required attendance!	McCord Adams on evil	McCord Adams on evil	Take-home quiz Analytical paper due
10	Swinburne on evil	Swinburne on evil	Van Inwagen on evil	Van Inwagen on evil	Take-home final exam (quiz)