Essays and Research Papers on Philosophy Of Religion

A five page paper looking at the question of analogical language's usefulness in theological discussions, based on the theories of Mortimer Adler and St. Thomas Aquinas. The paper distinguishes analogical language from other kinds, and then shows why it still is inadequate to communicate the nature of God. Bibliography lists one source.

A 5 page paper discussing the Epicurean view of good and evil (i.e., pleasure and pain) and the part that knowledge plays in bringing the happiness that should be the goal of every individual. Epicurus (342-270 B.C.) maintained that the pursuit of pleasure was not that which could be procured through physical enjoyments, but rather through contemplation. ...

This 6 page paper focuses on St. Thomas Aquinas and Immanuel Kant by incorporating comments and answering questions posed by a student. Several issues are discussed including the existence of God. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 5 page paper considers a quote taken from the beginning of an essay on good and evil from 'On the Genealogy of Morality' and to understand how this reflects the views of Nietzsche ideas of self delusion and the need for differentiation between theological prejudice and moral prejudice. The paper explains this and looks ...

(5 pp) Locke divides our complex ideas into ideas of substance, modes and relations in his An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690), and then relates those to identity, person and moral agent. The labels may be old but the ideas are still applicable today.

A five page paper which looks at the ways in which Nietzsche criticises Socratic and Platonic schools of thought in The Twilight of the Idols and The Antichrist, and analyses Nietzsche’s concept of the will to power and the autonomy of the individual in contrast to the constraints laid down by codified religious systems of ...

This 6 page paper focuses on Descartes's proof, but addresses other related issues. Possible motives for Descartes's desire to prove that God exists are a part of the discussion. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page report discusses Rene Descartes’ “Meditations” (published in 1641) and emphasizing his work on the First Philosophy. Descartes considers the problems of the sources and nature of knowledge; the validity of truth; the nature and destiny of man; the existence of God, as well as the creation of the universe. His systematic doubt along with the presupposition ...

A five page paper which analyses David Hume’s philosophy with regard to the nature of the miraculous, and the ways in which alleged miracles may be explained in terms of rationality and scientific evidence. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 5 page paper considers the Essay by Adams entitled 'Must God Create Good' and considers the arguments put forward regarding the obligations of God and man towards potential life and the moral obligations that can be argued as well as are often perceived by society. The bibliography cites 3 sources.

A 6 page critical review of the story by D.T. Niane. Briefly relates this age-old story from Western Africa. Emphasizes that this brief story manages to incorporate many critical aspects of culture, of conflict, and even of sorcery and magic. It is a story of friendship, of interpersonal relationships and a story ...

A five page paper which looks at the way in which earlier philosophical structures, in particular Stoicism and the works of Aristotle, have influenced and contributed to Christian principles of moral value, integrity and the definition of the social order in relation to the universe. Bibliography lists 2 sources

An 7 page paper. The specific question addressed is: If humans believe in God does that mean that belief in God is reasonable? To be reasonable would imply that the "anything" actually exists. The writer presents arguments from philosophers and scientists for the existence of God and makes a conclusion as to the reasonableness ...

5 pages in length. The writer chooses Meditation III -- Of God: that He exists -- to illustrate how Descartes cultivates a sense of wonder about the world. No additional sources cited.

(7 pp) For Thich Nhat Hanh, author of the 1997 book Living Buddha, Living Christ, "religious life, is life." This book brings together decades of discussion concerning the thoughtful examination of the beliefs of Christianity and Buddhism, that Hanh has conducted with religious leaders as well as followers. He writes from ...

5 pages in length. Characteristic of humanity's constant quest for the concept of God's existence, the journey of understanding has come to represent myriad things to myriad people, ultimately rendering any universal explanation virtually impossible. The problem with such sought-after meaning is attempting to successfully pinpoint a single yet comprehensive connotation to its ...

A 5 page paper which discusses Pascal's Wager. The paper provides a general overview of his wager, a brief illustration of Pascal himself, and then discusses two aspects of the wager, presenting possible flaws in his theories. Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

5 pages in length. Most people like to think that human beings possess free will, at least with regard to a wide range of actions. In contrast, however, mankind also thinks that certain people lack the aspect of free will. Many great theorists have contended that the reason some people may, indeed, ...

Bernard Boxill's book, Blacks And Social Justice is concerned with the issues of bringing the social system (including the justice system) into balance. Ronald Dworkin, in his book, Life's Dominions, has set down the elements of debate on the right to abortion and euthanasia. This 10 page paper explores the opinions of these two authors, specific to the ...

It is understood that the death and rebirth phenomenon is representative of a spiritual transformation. This 7 page paper explores the issues of death, resurrection and eternal life as presented by Kenneth Kramer in The Sacred Art Of Dying and Hans Kung's Eternal Life? : Life After Death As a Medical, Philosophical, and Theological Problem. No additional sources are ...

This 5 page paper, written in the style of a letter, considers the accusation that David Hume is an atheist and looks at how Hume might have responded to the argument his work displays atheism and his philosophy results in immorality. The bibliography cites 7 sources.

13 pages. Many philosophers have attempted to understand and explain Nietzsche's meaning in his Eternal Return. There are probably more disagreements on his real meaning about this concept than any other philosophical argument in the world today. This paper will explore what Nietzsche could have meant when he composed this interesting notion, and what his underlying theories must ...

This 5 page paper looks at the structure and format of the five arguments that are put forward by St Thomas Aquinas for proof of the existence of God. The writer then goes on to examine his second argument, discussing the flaws and potential errors in the logical of Aquinas due to his assumptions ...

A 5 page research paper that examines eighteenth century philosopher David Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. The writer gives an overall view of the work, discussing the main points of Hume's thesis and the structure of the work. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 6 page essay that examines the argument that Rene Descartes presents in Meditation III, from Meditations on First Philosophy, on the existence of God. The writer first presents a discussion of the points that Descartes makes in this Meditations and then offers comments that argue that Descartes' argument fails to prove that God ...