Does God Really Exist? Philosophical Approaches to the Big Question


This course unpack the age-old question 'does god really exist?' by working through five philosophical arguments for the existence of God, as well as the criticisms and counter-arguments that they face.

Created By

Anna L

14-16, 16-18
Politics

12 HOURS

12 LESSONS

Does God Really Exist? Philosophical Approaches to the Big Question

academic-development

Course Overview



A question that has kept philosophers, agnostics, atheists and people of faith awake at night for thousands of years: does God really exist? Over 12 weeks, this course unpack this age-old question by working through five philosophical arguments for the existence of God, as well as the criticisms and counter-arguments that they face. Students encounter and evaluate the logic and reasoning of philosophers such as Descartes, Augustine, David Hume, St. Thomas Aquinas and many more, and develop critical thinking skills as they tackle one of philosophy’s biggest questions.

Course Content



12 LESSONS

12 HOURS Total Length

Lesson 1

Introduction to Philosophical Arguments for the Existence of God

60 minutes

Lesson 2

The Divine Watchmaker: The Teleological Argument

60 minutes

Lesson 3

Poor Analogies and Darwinism: Challenges to the Teleological Argument

60 minutes

Lesson 4

The Fool of Psalm 14: The Ontological Argument

60 minutes

Lesson 5

Contesting ‘Existence’: Challenges Against the Ontological Argument

60 minutes

Lesson 6

Visions and Mysticism: The Experiential Argument

60 minutes

Lesson 7

Illusions, Dreams and Neurology: Challenges to the Experiential Argument

60 minutes

Lesson 8

The Unmoved Mover: The Cosmological Argument

60 minutes

Lesson 9

Contesting Causation: Challenges to the Cosmological Argument

60 minutes

Lesson 10

The Great Law Giver: The Morality Argument

60 minutes

Lesson 11

Morality as a Construct: Arguments Against Morality

60 minutes

Lesson 12

Conclusions

60 minutes

Key Skills


Critical Thinking

Debate

Problem-Solving

Argumentation

Educator


Anna L

Religious Studies and Philosophy Educator

Anna specialises in theology, religion, philosophy and ethics, as well as history, visual media and literature. Alongside starting a PGCE at the University of Cambridge this year, Anna is providing 1-to-1 sessions to students with experience in teaching a range of students from children to adults.