PHIL 3600 -- Philosophy of Religion
Fall 2014
Prof. Chris Heathwood
University of Colorado Boulder

First Paper

due Friday, October 3, 2014 in class

 

Option 1: Pre-Assigned Topics: Write a 1,000-2,000 word (roughly 3-6 page) paper on one of the following topics.  Indicate at the top of your paper, by number and name, which topic you have chosen.  Before you begin, you are required read the Philosophy Paper FAQ.  Read it more than once.  (One or two elements of the guidelines may not apply to those who are writing on a pre-assigned topic (e.g., "What if I can't come up with a good thesis?").)

1. The Thomistic Account of Omnipotence.  Is Aquinas' account of omnipotence true?  Write a paper in which you
   (i) introduce the topic of the nature of omnipotence and explain what an account of omnipotence is;
   (ii) clearly and thoroughly explain Aquinas' account of omnipotence, including explaining any technical terms; include key quotations from Aquinas if you can; illustrate things with examples when helpful
   (iii) explain the problem of divine sin for Aquinas' account.
   (iv) explain whether you think this is ultimately a problem for Aquinas' theory; if not, explain your solution; if you think it is a problem, explain and then rebut a possible solution.
   
   
2. Omnipotence and Changing the Past.  Does the question of whether God can change the past pose a problem for the Thomistic Account of Omnipotence?  Write a paper in which you
   (i) introduce the topic of the nature of omnipotence and explain what an account of omnipotence is;
   (ii) clearly and thoroughly explain Aquinas' account of omnipotence, including explaining any technical terms; include key quotations from Aquinas if you can; illustrate things with examples when helpful
   (iii) explain why the question of whether God can change the past poses at least a prima facie problem for Aquinas' account (you may recall that Rowe mentions the problem)
   (iv) explain whether you think this is ultimately a problem for Aquinas' theory; you may find it useful to look at Plantinga's discussion of the very idea of altering the past.
   
   
3. The Dilemma of Freedom and Foreknowledge.  Is divine omniscience compatible with human freedom? Write a paper in which you
   (i) lay out the Edwardsian version of the foreknowledge argument in your own words; be sure to touch on all the elements that are required to derive the conclusion that nothing we do is free; make sure you explain the argument so that a non-philosopher could understand it;
   (a) if you think the argument fails, explain in detail why; then describe in detail an objection that an opponent might make to your criticism of the foreknowledge argument, and defend your criticism against this objection
   (b) if you think the argument succeeds, then explain what you take to be the most promising response to the argument that a traditional theist could make; then explain why you do not believe that response to be ultimately successful; then say what you think we should conclude from the fact that divine omniscience and human freedom are incompatible (e.g., that God doesn't exist?, that we're not free?)
   

Option 2: Open Topic:  Write a 1,000-2,000 word (roughly 3-6 page) paper in which you defend, by means of rational argument, a thesis of your choosing on one of the following topics: the Nature of God, Divine Omnipotence, or the Dilemma of Freedom and Foreknowledge.  Indicate at the top of your paper that you have chosen the "Open Topic" option, and indicate which of the three topics above you are writing on.  Before you begin, you are required read the Philosophy Paper FAQ.  Read it more than once.