Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is spirituality primarily characterized by?
What is spirituality primarily characterized by?
- A belief in only material reality
- The practice of organized religious rituals only
- A strict adherence to religious doctrines
- A sense of the universe beyond everyday existence (correct)
Which of the following can be a component of spirituality?
Which of the following can be a component of spirituality?
- Characters from religious texts
- Only traditional religious practices
- Personal spiritual practices like meditation (correct)
- Secular philosophical discussions
What attitude might spirituality involve according to the content?
What attitude might spirituality involve according to the content?
- An attitude of humility and love for humanity (correct)
- A dismissal of natural beings
- A focus solely on individual success
- A competitive view of existence
Which reality can spirituality include a belief in?
Which reality can spirituality include a belief in?
What is a suggested approach for choosing a religion to study in the feedback exercise?
What is a suggested approach for choosing a religion to study in the feedback exercise?
Which of the following is NOT a dictionary definition of religion provided in the content?
Which of the following is NOT a dictionary definition of religion provided in the content?
According to the sociological perspective, religion can include which of the following components?
According to the sociological perspective, religion can include which of the following components?
William James defines religion from which perspective?
William James defines religion from which perspective?
How does John Hick define religion?
How does John Hick define religion?
What is one possible objective of measuring 'religiosity' in sociology?
What is one possible objective of measuring 'religiosity' in sociology?
What aspect does a theological definition of religion primarily focus on?
What aspect does a theological definition of religion primarily focus on?
In what way does the content suggest students express their interest in the course?
In what way does the content suggest students express their interest in the course?
Which of the following best encapsulates the aim of the course based on student responses?
Which of the following best encapsulates the aim of the course based on student responses?
How do functionalists define religion?
How do functionalists define religion?
Which of the following is NOT a criterion for a good definition of religion?
Which of the following is NOT a criterion for a good definition of religion?
What is one possible etymological origin of the word 'religion'?
What is one possible etymological origin of the word 'religion'?
What does Ludwig Wittgenstein suggest about the term 'religion'?
What does Ludwig Wittgenstein suggest about the term 'religion'?
Which aspect differentiates 'Ultimate Reality' according to differing views?
Which aspect differentiates 'Ultimate Reality' according to differing views?
What does the term 'supra-natural' refer to in the context of Ultimate Reality?
What does the term 'supra-natural' refer to in the context of Ultimate Reality?
According to Wilfred Cantwell Smith, how is the concept of 'religion' viewed?
According to Wilfred Cantwell Smith, how is the concept of 'religion' viewed?
In the context of religion, what does the Latin verb 'relegere' imply?
In the context of religion, what does the Latin verb 'relegere' imply?
What important dimension of religions is largely concerned with moral actions and relationships?
What important dimension of religions is largely concerned with moral actions and relationships?
According to the philosophy presented, what is a component of religion?
According to the philosophy presented, what is a component of religion?
Which dimension of religion involves a transition from a 'radically unsatisfactory state' to one that is 'limitlessly better'?
Which dimension of religion involves a transition from a 'radically unsatisfactory state' to one that is 'limitlessly better'?
Why is Michael Peterson's definition of religion considered potentially problematic?
Why is Michael Peterson's definition of religion considered potentially problematic?
What aspect of religion does John Hick categorize as involving symbolic speech and stories to convey ultimate reality?
What aspect of religion does John Hick categorize as involving symbolic speech and stories to convey ultimate reality?
Which religious dimension explains the prescribed behaviors for the worship of the divine?
Which religious dimension explains the prescribed behaviors for the worship of the divine?
According to the views of Smith, what is a significant characteristic of religious systems?
According to the views of Smith, what is a significant characteristic of religious systems?
What quality does the experiential dimension of religion include?
What quality does the experiential dimension of religion include?
Study Notes
Course Overview: Philosophy of Religion
- Philosophy 242-L01, Dr. Roger A. Petry, Luther College at the University of Regina.
- Course materials available on UR Courses.
- Initial reading: Johan Chaffee, “The Philosopher's Way: A Text with Readings.”
- Student participation grade includes responding to questions on personal interest in the study of religion.
Defining Religion
- Diverse perspectives on religion exist based on personal experience and various disciplinary approaches.
- Dictionary definitions emphasize faith, worship, and a superhuman controlling power.
- Psychological perspectives (William James) focus on individual feelings, acts, and experiences linked to the divine.
- Sociological perspectives (T. Parsons) view religion as a set of beliefs, practices, and institutions, sometimes measuring "religiosity."
- Theological perspectives (John Hick) define religion as humanity's response to the divine.
- Religious Studies uses substantivist (content-focused) and functionalist (function-focused) approaches to define religion.
Criteria for Defining Religion
- A good definition should be neither too broad nor too narrow, avoid circularity, avoid purely negative framing, and avoid figurative language.
- A possible philosophical definition: Religion involves beliefs, actions, and experiences organized around a concept of Ultimate Reality demanding devotion or life orientation (Peterson et al.).
- Ultimate Reality can be viewed as beyond or within the natural world, personal or impersonal, experienced individually or collectively.
Etymology and Related Concepts
- Possible etymologies link "religion" to "to bind" (obligation) or "to reread" (observance).
- Spirituality involves a sense of connection to a reality beyond everyday existence, encompassing beliefs, practices, and attitudes.
Initial Assignment and Feedback
- Initial assignment: Read a religious summary from Chaffee's "The Philosopher's Way," choose a less familiar religion, and respond to prompts on interesting beliefs and supporting/opposing arguments.
- Feedback exercise: Respond to prompts in UR Courses on interest in philosophy of religion and preferred topics.
Critiques of Defining Religion
- Ludwig Wittgenstein suggests "family resemblance," a lack of a single definition.
- Wilfred Cantwell Smith argues "religion" is an Enlightenment construct, creating competing belief systems.
Dimensions of Religion (John Hick)
- Salvation/liberation: Transition from an unsatisfactory state to a better one, often involving a transcendent reality.
- Experiential: Personal experiences like divine presence or mystic consciousness.
- Mythic: Symbolic stories and speech conveying understanding of ultimate reality.
- Ethical/social: Moral guidelines, interpersonal relations, and life orientation.
- Ritual: Prescribed behaviors for worship.
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Description
Explore the diverse perspectives on religion through the course Philosophy 242. Delve into definitions from psychology, sociology, and theology while engaging with Johan Chaffee's readings. Join discussions and reflect on your personal interest in the study of religion.
