Religious Studies

Course summary

This is an exciting and very interesting course. You will study different aspects of European and Eastern philosophy, looking at contrasting views of the nature of God, human purpose and existence as well as the philosophy of morality from ancient or modern perspectives. The course addresses the big questions in life such as: What am I doing here? Is there a God? Why do I suffer? How should I behave? Why follow rules? Philosophy of religion - Ancient philosophical influences - Arguments about the existence of God - The nature and impact of religious experience - The nature of the soul, mind and body - The possibility of life after death Religion and Ethics - Normative ethical theories - Utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, natural moral law, situation ethics - The application of ethical theory to two contemporary issues of importance: business ethics and euthanasia Developments in Buddhist thought - The cultural and religious context of Buddhism - The nature of the Buddha - The teachings of the Buddha - The development of Southern Buddhism - The function and purpose of meditation