Philosophy of Religion

In the first part of this seminar we will focus on philosophical reflections on the existence of God, the relation between religion and morality, the existence of evil, arguments for and against religious belief, and religious experience. We will read texts by Pascal, Hume, Kant, Kierkegaard, William James, and Bertrand Russell. In the second part we will focus on the place of religion in society, considering what it means to live in a secular society, the relation between secularism and modernity, and the resulting modern forms of religious experience and practice. We will read selections from Max Weber, Sigmund Freud, Peter Berger, Charles Taylor and others. 3 hrs. lect.