Philosophy of Religion & Ethics Faculty Chair: Scott B. Rae, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor: Moreland Professors: DeWeese, Geivett, Rae Associate Professor: Horner Assistant Professor: Pickavance Research Professor: Craig Objectives Part of the task of Christian leadership involves skilled thinking and the ability to clearly articulate to a modern culture the reasons for belief in the Christian faith. It is critical to grasp the underlying philosophical ideas that continue to shape contemporary culture. For this reason, a specialty in philosophy is crucial for defending the claims of Christianity in advancing a Christian Worldview A topical study of the nature and methodology of metaphysics with emphasis on the nature and ultimate categories of being as well as specific areas (e.g. causation, space and time, the soul, freedom and determinism, personal identity, and essentialism). Special emphasis will be placed on integrating metaphysics with the construction and defense of a Christian worldview. Unit(s): 3. TTPH 524 - Metaphysics II A topical study of important selected themes and persons in the field of metaphysics. Emphasis will be placed on current tensions between Christian theism and various metaphysical positions and on key past and present figures in metaphysics. Note(s): Elective. Unit(s): 3. TTPH 544 - Epistemology I A topical study in the definition of knowledge and justified belief, problems in skepticism, the nature of epistemic justification and the nature of truth. Application will be made to special epistemological issues in religion, e.g., religious experience, miracles, inerrancy, burden of proof issues. Unit(s): 3. TTPH 545 - Epistemology II Courses (TTPH) TTPH 523 - Metaphysics I A conceptual analysis and philosophical evaluation of important contemporary issues in epistemology. Special emphasis will be placed on the role that key current and past figures have played in formulating these issues. An application of epistemological themes will be made to the concerns of religious epistemology. Note(s): Elective. Unit(s): 3. TTPH 547 - The Theology & Philosophy of Science A study of various issues that arise in the integration of science and orthodox Christian theology (e.g. models of integration, the scientific status of creationism, the creation/evolution debate) as well as an investigation of selected topics in philosophy of science relevant to a Christian worldview (e.g., the realist/antirealist debate, the nature, formation, use, and confirmation of scientific laws and theories, scientism and the limits of science). Unit(s): 3. TTPH 566 - History & Normative Systems of Ethics A survey and evaluation of various ethicists and their systems from within a Christian framework. Emphasis will be placed on Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, the utilitarians and Kant, and a study of various issues in metaethics and normative ethics, as well as an investigation of ethical decision-making and case studies. Unit(s): 3.
TTPH 602 - Apologetics An examination of the Christian worldview and the various Christian apologetic responses in relation to the areas of history, science, and philosophy. Note(s): Required for M.Div. and M.A. (Theology) students. Elective for M.A. (Philosophy) students. Unit(s): 3. TTPH 624 - Ethical Issues I A study of various topics currently being debated in ethics, e.g., abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, infanticide, surrogate motherhood, business ethics, environmental issues, etc. Unit(s): 3. TTPH 625 - Seminar in Ethical Issues II An in-depth study of one specific issue currently being debated in business, medical and / or social ethics. Note(s): Elective. Unit(s): 3. TTPH 629 - Historical Perspectives in Science & Religion A survey of the history of science and its interaction with Christianity from New Testament times through the twenty-first century. Emphasis is on key historical movements that continue to shape the modern dialog. Unit(s): 1 - 3. TTPH 630 - Darwin, Evolution, & Design A survey of the issues and ideas involved in relating classical Darwinian and contemporary evolutionary models with a biblical worldview. Special emphasis is given to controversies that are used by skeptics to call Christian theism into question. Unit(s): 1 - 3. TTPH 631 - Modern Physics, Cosmology, & Design A survey of the issues and ideas involved in relating modern physics and astronomy to a biblical worldview. Special emphasis is given to controversies that are used by skeptics to call Christianity into question. Unit(s): 1 - 3. TTPH 640 - World Religions & Science A survey of the core beliefs of other world religions with an emphasis on the ways in which they use modern science to justify their worldviews. Unit(s): 1 - 3. TTPH 651 - Intelligent Design Seminar In-depth focus on intelligent design to enable students to appraise the current debate on this issues. Unit(s): 1 - 3. TTPH 667 - Philosophical Anthropology & Philosophy of the Mind A study and defense of the existence and nature of the soul, the reality of disembodied existence, the nature of human action, and issues in personal identity. Various models of human nature will be investigated (dualism, behaviorism, functionalism, the identity thesis, eliminative materialism), as well as their implications or ethics. Unit(s): 3. TTPH 684 - Philosophy of Religion An investigation of the arguments for and against the existence of God, faith and reason, the use of religious language, and the philosophical clarification and defense of the attributes of the God of Scripture. Unit(s): 3. TTPH 685 - Seminar in Philosophical Theology A philosophical analysis of important doctrines of the Christian faith, e.g., freedom and determinism, the incarnation and the coherence of theism. Special emphasis will be placed on the concept of the attributes of God, on philosophical prolegomena to the practice of theology, and on religious pluralism. Unit(s): 3. TTPH 730 - Directed Study Reading and research in selected areas of philosophy of religion and ethics. Note(s): Elective. Unit(s): 1 - 4. TTPH 735 - Seminar Selected topics in the fields of philosophy, apologetics and ethics. Note(s): May be repeated with different content. Elective. Unit(s): 1 - 3.
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