PhD Doctor of Philosophy Philosophy of God and Religion 4

Question 1

Immanuel Kant's critique of the ontological argument rests on his claim that:

Accepted Answer

Existence is not a determining predicate and 'exists' adds nothing to a concept

Answer

Kant argued that existence is not a 'real predicate' that augments a concept, so saying God 'exists' adds no content to the concept of God, undermining the ontological argument's claim that existence belongs to God's essence.

Question 2

The via negativa (apophatic theology) in thinkers like Pseudo-Dionysius and Maimonides holds that:

Accepted Answer

No positive predicates can properly be applied to God; we can only say what God is not

Answer

Apophatic theology maintains that divine transcendence is so radical that all positive predications are inadequate; the proper path is negating attributes derived from finite creatures.

Question 3

William James in 'The Will to Believe' argues that adopting religious belief without sufficient evidence is justified when:

Accepted Answer

The hypothesis is live, the option is forced and momentous, and evidence is insufficient to decide

Answer

James held that on genuine options—live, forced, and momentous—where evidence cannot settle the question, one's 'passional nature' may legitimately tip the balance toward belief.

Question 4

In discussions of religious pluralism, John Hick's 'pluralistic hypothesis' holds that the great world religions are:

Accepted Answer

Equally valid culturally conditioned responses to a single transcendent Real

Answer

Hick proposed that diverse religious traditions are different human responses to the same ultimate transcendent Reality, which itself transcends all particular doctrinal formulations.

Question 5

The 'felix culpa' theodicy, associated with Augustine and later Leibniz, argues that:

Accepted Answer

The Fall was fortunate because it occasioned the greater good of Incarnation and redemption

Answer

Felix culpa ('happy fault') argues that Adam's sin was providentially permitted because it led to the greater good of Christ's Incarnation and the redemption of humanity.

PhD Doctor of Philosophy Practice Test

PhD Doctor of Philosophy Practice Test

PhD Doctor of Philosophy Philosophy of God and Religion 4