Tutorial # I. Philosophy of Religion - Questions for Discussion

David Hume, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, II-XI, reprinted in
Feinberg and Shafer-Landau, ed., Reason and Responsibility.

See also “Hume on Religion” - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hume-religion/#10

1. What is the difference between a priori arguments and a posteriori arguments? Give examples.

2. What is the difference between deductive argument and inductive argument? Give examples.

3. What’s wrong, if anything, with an inductive argument by analogy to “proof” that God exists?

4. According to Hume, is there any alternative hypothesis to the existence of a Designer that would explain the “order” we witness in nature?

5. How should we evaluate the weight of competitive hypotheses?

6. If we assume that the inference from effects (the order\”design” of nature) to causes (the existence\nature of God) is valid, what should we conclude about the nature of God? Is he Good, Omniscient, Omnipotent?

7. Is there any matter of fact that could falsify the statement that God exists? Why?

8. If not, is there any matter of reason that could falsify the statement that God exists?

9. Mystical experiences and miracles can be considered evidence for the belief in the existence of God?

10. Is Hume an atheist?

11. Is there contradiction between science and religion?