The Philosopher’s Approach to Religious Belief

33 unread replies.33 replies.

Religious Belief has an incalculable impact on individuals and societies. Asking questions about whether to adopt a religious beliefs and which beliefs one ought to adopt are some of the most important questions we can ask as individual human beings and as a society. Your beliefs about religious questions influence much of what you do and how you behave. Given the importance of these questions, we ought to take them very seriously indeed.  

In the first two paragraphs under the heading “Overview: The Philosopher’s Quest” on p. 56 in your text, Vaughn makes an argument for the idea that adopting a religious belief simply because it was taught to us by our parents is not a good reason to accept it as true. Instead, he argues, we ought to evaluate any religious claim “in the court of reason.” 

• Consider and Understand the importance of religious belief.
• Discuss the Philosopher’s approach to evaluating religious beliefs.

Write at least one paragraph (100 words each) that summarizes Vaughn’s argument alluded to above (Remember to use Rapoport’s Rules in writing your summary.) Write at least one more paragraph on your assessment of this argument. Do you agree with Vaughn? Why or why not? 

The Philosopher’s Approach to Religious Belief

33 unread replies.33 replies.

Religious Belief has an incalculable impact on individuals and societies. Asking questions about whether to adopt a religious beliefs and which beliefs one ought to adopt are some of the most important questions we can ask as individual human beings and as a society. Your beliefs about religious questions influence much of what you do and how you behave. Given the importance of these questions, we ought to take them very seriously indeed.  

In the first two paragraphs under the heading “Overview: The Philosopher’s Quest” on p. 56 in your text, Vaughn makes an argument for the idea that adopting a religious belief simply because it was taught to us by our parents is not a good reason to accept it as true. Instead, he argues, we ought to evaluate any religious claim “in the court of reason.” 

• Consider and Understand the importance of religious belief.
• Discuss the Philosopher’s approach to evaluating religious beliefs.

Write at least one paragraph (100 words each) that summarizes Vaughn’s argument alluded to above (Remember to use Rapoport’s Rules in writing your summary.) Write at least one more paragraph on your assessment of this argument. Do you agree with Vaughn? Why or why not?