Topic 1- by definition, God is unknowable, completely beyond any possible human experience.**
you may agree or disagree with the given statement. you may also agree, with some reservations/qualifications;
or disagree, with some reservations/qualifications.
in either case, you should explain what definition of God you are working with, and consider one or two
objections to [i.e. possible problems with] your position.
an A+ essay will be highly plausible, and compellingly written. it will show familiarity with some scholarly
discussion on the topic or on related topics, and build on that discussion.
topics discussed in class
I. intro: approach of The Holya. Lem, from Solaris
b. Borges, The Approach of Al-Mu’tasim
II. defense of Theisma. Derek Parfit,Why Anything? Why This? [part 1]
b. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Teleological Arguments for God’s Existence [section 4.1]
c. Bali, Narrative Axiarchy [from Notes on Maps of Meaning]
d. Pascal, from Pensées [sections 229-234]
e. Jordan, Pragmatic Arguments [in CPR]
f. Van Inwagen, Ontological Arguments [in CPR]
