Course Team

Ustadh Jamie B. Turner (Doctoral Researcher,Philosophy of Religion, University of Birmingham)

At A Glance

• 10 Live Online Sessions
• Duration: 3+ Months
• Sundays, 3:00PM - 4:30PM (London, UK)
• Video Recordings Available
• Access to Mobile App
• Digital Certificate
• From £14.99/Month (For 4 Months)

Enroll Now

• Starts on 30th June 2024
• Course Fee:
  Pay in Full: £89.99 £59.99
  Pay in 4 Installments: £14.99 per month
• Registration Deadline: 29th June 2024

COURSE OVERVIEW

As the famous contemporary philosopher, Alvin Plantinga, once put it: philosophy is just thinking hard about something. Philosophy of religion, then, is thinking hard about religion by considering fundamental questions that relate to religion and seeking to answer them with our thinking caps firmly on! This course intends to introduce students to the field of contemporary philosophy of religion, in an accessible, interactive, and engaging way.

The course Philosophy of religion will cover such topics as the concept of God, miracles, religious experience, as well as theistic arguments such as the cosmological, design, and ontological arguments! This course provides a unique opportunity to cultivate critical thinking skills, encouraging students to examine philosophical ideas and arguments from diverse perspectives.

The course Philosophy of religion is divided into 12 lectures which aim to cover the main topics of contemporary philosophy of religion as taught in higher educational institutions in the West. Yet, unlike the traditional topics which comprise those courses, this course brings Islamic thinkers, themes, and ideas into the conversation making it a more enriching, interesting, and broader philosophical exploration of philosophy of religion than its typically available at those institutes.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Identify and apply principles of logical reasoning (deduction, induction, abduction) in analysing philosophical arguments within the context of religion.
• Recognize and critique logical fallacies and biases commonly encountered in philosophy of religion discussions.
• Explain the concept of God as understood within religious traditions and philosophical systems, including classical theism and theistic personalism.
• Evaluate differing viewpoints on whether religious belief requires evidential support or can be justified through other epistemological means.

• Analyse and assess key arguments such as cosmological, design, and ontological arguments from historical and contemporary Islamic and Western philosophers.
• Assess the role of religious experience as evidence for theism, considering objections and alternative explanations.
• Evaluate philosophical challenges posed by the problems of evil, divine hiddenness, and the concept of miracles.
• Differentiate between approaches to religious language, including univocal, equivocal, and analogical discourse about God.
• Examine the relationship between God and morality, exploring different moral theories anchored in theism.
• Investigate philosophical perspectives on life after death, including classical arguments and empirical considerations related to near-death experiences.

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding Philosophical Tools: Students will gain proficiency in logical reasoning, identifying fallacies, and using probabilistic reasoning in the context of philosophy of religion.
• Comprehending Theological Concepts: Students will grasp diverse models of God within religious traditions and philosophical perspectives, including classical theism, theistic personalism, and divine simplicity.
• Critically Analysing Religious Belief: Students will evaluate the necessity of evidence in religious belief, exploring various approaches such as theistic evidentialism, reformed epistemology, and athari tradition.
• Engaging with Classical Arguments: Students will analyse and critique cosmological, design, and ontological arguments from historical and contemporary Islamic and Western thinkers.
• Evaluating Religious Experience: Students will examine religious experiences as a form of theistic evidence, considering challenges like debunking arguments and psychological explanations.

MODULES