PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

MIDTERM EXAMINATION

I. MULTIPLE CHOICE: Choose the correct answer. (3 pts. each)

1. Spot the atheist! Three of the following philosophers are theists.

a. Richard Swinburne – A is my answer.

b. J. L. Mackie
c. René Descartes
d. Alvin Plantinga

2. This philosopher believed that there was just one set of rules governing the whole of
reality, and that the basis of the universe was a single substance, of which all lesser entities
are actually "modes" or modifications, which is God.

a. Aristotle
b. David Hume
c. Baruch Spinoza
d. Rene Descartes – this is my answer, (D)

3. He taught that there is a supreme, totally transcendent "One", beyond all categories of
being and non-being, containing no division, multiplicity or distinction.

a. Heraclitus
b. Plotinus – B is my answer
c. Democritus
d. Boethius

4. The following are types of monotheistic religion, except?

a. Henotheism
b. Inclusive
c. Substance – C is my answer.
d. Mesotheism

5. Spot the theist! Three of the following philosophers are atheists.

a. Bertrand Russell
b. Robin LePoidevin
c. Muhammad Iqbal
d. Jean-Paul Sartre – D is my answer.
II. ESSAY: Share your thoughts philosophically (25 pts. each)

1. “The highest revelation is that God is in every man.”- Ralph Emerson

It is argued and believe that every man is always and end in itself not a means to
the ends of others. In here I understand that man must live according to his own
purpose and must live for his own sake and work for his own interest. Neither
sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself; he must work for his
rational self-interest, with the achievement of his own happiness as the highest
moral purpose of his life.“ and I think that is the greatest revelation to man that God
is indeed in him. Man is unique and has his dignity that cannot be taken away from
himself and that this dignity cannot be coming from something else but its coming
from someone higher than human being.

2. “We are twice armed if we fight with faith.” - Plato

Plato’s quote has a deep meaning and this entails faith that leads our lives to
where we are now. I look at things differently that is based on my personal belief,
ideas, perceptions and culture of my religion and this affect me as to how I can be a
good be a good person in the eyes of others. We cannot deny the fact, that when we
consider religion, it will surely divides us people. Because we look at the teachings of
every religion as distinct from one another.
Although we belong to different religions, we may have different beliefs,
practices, the most important is that we have faith that leads us , and gives me
directions to where it is heading to me. Many world religions today have their own
definitions of faith.
According to what I've understand is that faith, is the essence of the things we
hoped and longed for. It is a persistent embrace of our highest aspirations and
desires, a humble trust that they can be or can become reality.

3. “If there were no God, it would be necessary to invent him.” -Voltaire

 Voltaire is of course suggesting we did invent him. For as far as I know he
was an Atheist. But he is also quite sincere in his statement of need as well; he
believed this was important in establishing a moral framework in society.