Courses

An approach to philosophy by the reading and discussion of classical and contemporary essays dealing with selected problems. Topics considered will include theory of knowledge, metaphysics, ethics and philosophy of religion.

The study of logic as a tool of exact reasoning. Major emphasis will be placed on modern deductive logic and its applications, with some consideration of traditional syllogistic logic and of induction.

A consideration of various problems in philosophical ethics on the basis of historical and contemporary readings, with an attempt to establish a philosophical framework for moral decision making. Certain topics in Christian ethics will also be discussed.

A detailed examination of a selected philosophical subject, problem, historical movement or individual philosopher.
May be repeated for credit in different topics.

Addresses the following questions: Is God necessary for morality? If yes, what is God’s relationship to morality? If no, what kind of morality can exist without a God? Do ethical systems have to be separate from a God? Are there objective moral truths if there is no God? As part of this course, students will discuss the voluntarist/intellectualist debate regarding the nature of God, how Christians have argued for the existence of God based on the existence of values like good and evil, and what makes a life meaningful.
Identical with BT 333GE.
Prerequisite: PL 220 or 260

Provides an advanced study of what philosophers and theologians have said about the nature of God. The course includes a discussion of the historical development of the “God” concept from the pre-Socratics through its apex in classical theism to the critique of this concept in modern atheism. The tools of contemporary analytic philosophy will be utilized to examine specific attributes of God.
Identical with BT 333PT.
Prerequisites: One course in Bible and PL 220 or 260

This course provides a study of the nature of scientific thought and scientific method; consideration of historical and contemporary views, concerning the relationship between science and religion; and of current issues resulting from the interaction of modern science and the Christian worldview.
Identical with BT 440.
Prerequisite: PL 220 or 260

A consideration of various attempts to provide a philosophical formulation and defense of the basic tenets of the theistic worldview, with particular attention to recent analytic philosophy.
Identical with BT 460.
Prerequisite: PL 220 or 260