Category Archives: Philosophy of Religion

A Life of Meaning (Reason Not Required) – What is the nature of our relationship with reason?

If philosophy is to stay relevant, it must bridge the gap between feeling, thought and reason. Few would disagree with two age-old truisms: We should strive to shape our lives with reason, and a central prerequisite for the good life … Continue reading

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Do we live in a simulation?

  From SMBC

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The Principle of Sufficient Reason

Form the Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy “The Principle of Sufficient Reason is a powerful and controversial philosophical principle stipulating that everything must have a reason or cause. This simple demand for thoroughgoing intelligibility yields some of the boldest and most … Continue reading

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Hume’s criticism of the design argument

Hume-Dialogues – Jeff Speaks

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Atheism as a ‘Null Hypothesis’

An interesting take on the subject by QualiaSoup…

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Philosophical Health Check

This is a fabulous online interactive to see how coherent your beliefs and values are as a whole (tpm online) Check your [philosophical]Tension Quotient! To take the philosophical health check (PHC), go through the statements below, selecting for each one … Continue reading

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The Meaningfulness of Lives

By TODD MAY  NYTimes ‘The Stone’ http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/the-meaningfulness-of-lives/ Who among us has not asked whether his or her life is a meaningful one?  Who has not wondered — on a sleepless night, during a long stretch of dull or taxing work, or … Continue reading

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Peace of Mind: Near-Death Experiences Now Found to Have Scientific Explanations

Seeing your life pass before you and the light at the end of the tunnel, can be explained by new research on abnormal functioning of dopamine and oxygen flow By Charles Q. Choi Scientific American http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=peace-of-mind-near-death Near-death experiences are often thought of … Continue reading

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Philosophy of Religion website

A wonderfully organised overview of the classic philosophy of religion issues, arguments and problems. http://www.philosophyofreligion.info/

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Banning Religion – An interesting hypothetical

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Philosophy in Senior Schools

(From my appearance on ABC Radio National’s ‘Philosopher’s Zone) http://www.abc.net.au/rn/philosopherszone/stories/2007/1911312.htm Philosophy is about asking childlike questions – how do we know the world exists? How do we know it hasn’t just started existing? Why can’t we go back in time? … Continue reading

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Religion is not a state obligation

Q: SHOULD the federal government be funding school chaplains in state schools? Ask the Philosopher Column by Tim Soutphommasane in The Australian August 20, 2011 religion-is-not-a-state-obligation (pdf) (Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

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Indian High Court Rules Astrology is a Science

MUMBAI: Astrology has been debunked by most world scientists including India’s renowned physicist Prof. Yash Pal. However, it is “science” in India. Philosophy of religion, philosophy of science,TOK, appeal to tradition, logical fallacies, reasoning. Astrology is a science_ Bombay HC … Continue reading

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Morality without Religion

Marc Hauser and Peter Singer. Empirical evidence of innate morality? Philosophy of mind. Moral philosophy. HauserSingerMoralRelig05

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Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller

Wiley Miller’s cartoons often pose questions about life in general. He also has a number of cartoons which illustrate particular -isms that can be used in a philosophy classroom. Fundamentalism is one of his ‘pet’ subjects. One of my favourites … Continue reading

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Hume, David – Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion

A text file of the complete work. Save and open in Word or click on the link and search for particular passages in the page displayed. Hume – Natural-Religion

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Theory of Knowledge Web Site

A great resources covering all the basics. See also philosophyofreligion.info and philosophyofmind.info. http://www.theoryofknowledge.info/  

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Psychology and Psychics – Why some people think they are psychic.

Interesting article on why people may feel psychic from New Scientist. Philosophy of mind, human nature, psychics, psychology. New Scientist Belief Special 28 January 2006 Glad to be gullible Clare Wilson It is five minutes past midnight and I am alone … Continue reading

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Why should I respect oppressive religions?

Religion and the ‘right’ to respect – comments on recent United Nations changes to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ethics, religion, social and political philosophy. Johann Hari Posted from: http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-why-should-i-respect-these-oppressive-religions-1517789.html Whenever a religious belief is criticised, its adherents say … Continue reading

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Six ‘Uniquely Human’ Characteristics Now Found in Animals

New Scientist magazine review of six traits once thought unique to humans and now found in other animals. Philosophy of human nature, mind. 17:11 22 May 2008 NewScientist.com news service Kate Douglas To accompany the article So you think humans are … Continue reading

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