a.

DEFINITION OF FAITH AND REASON: -

1. FAITH: - Refers to a strong belief or trust in something, often without the need
for evidence or empirical proof.
2. REASON: - Refers to the cognitive process of logical, thinking and rationality.

b. FAITH DEVELOPMENT THEORIES OF: -

1. JAMES FOWLER’S STAGE OF FAITH: - James fowler introduced a theory that
describes how individuals develop their faith throughout their lives. He identified six
stages, starting from early childhood and progressing towards a mature and complex
understanding of faith.
2. LAWRENCE KOHLBERG’S COGNITIVE- DEVELOP MENTAL THEORY: -
Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory focuses on the moral development of individuals, including
the development of religious beliefs and faith.
3. ROBERT KEGAN: - Kegan’s theories revolve around the idea that individuals go
through different stages or levels of cognitive complexity and consciousness as they
mature. These stages involve increasing self- awareness, ability to take multiple
perspectives, and capacity for more complex reasoning and moral judgement. It can be
assumed that these developmental processes also influence an individual’s faith
development, although Kegan himself has not explicitly focused on faith in his work.
c. DO FAITH AND REASON COOPERATE?
-In my opinion they can cooperate in certain instances. While faith is often associated with
beliefs that are based on religious or spiritual aspects, reason relies on logic, evidence and
critical thinking.
- For example, faith can provide individuals with a framework or foundation for their beliefs
and values, while reason can be used to analyze and evaluate these beliefs based on
rationality and evidence.

d. CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY PHILOSOPHERS SUCH AS SOCRATES, PLATO,

ARISTOTLE, AND THOMAS AQUINAS HAVE BEEN IMMENSE IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THEORIES: -
 1. SOCRATES: - Was a key figure in thinking, questioning, and the examination of
one’s own beliefs.
2. PLATO: - Socrates’ student, further developed many of his ideas and explored
various subjects including Metaphysics, Epistemology and political philosophy. Plato
introduced the concept of forms of ideas, which laid the foundation for understanding
the nature of reality and knowledge.
3. ARISTOTLE: - Another student of Plato, made significant contributions to a wide
range of disciplines like logic, biology, ethics, politics, and metaphysic. His works on
logic laid the groundwork for rational thinking and scientific inquiry, while his ethical
theories influenced moral philosophy for centuries.
4. THOMAS AQUINAS: - a medieval philosopher, sought to reconcile the philosophy
of Aristotle with Christian theology. His synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy and
Christian thought had a profound impact on Western philosophy, shaping fields such
as natural law theory and ethics.

e. EXPLAIN THE ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHICAL TEACHING OF REASON: -

- The Islamic philosophical teaching of reason, also known as “ilm al-Aqli”, is derived from the
teachings of the Quran and the Hadith (sayings and actions of the prophet Muhammad). Reason,
or ‘aql’, is seen as a fundamental aspect of human nature and a gift from God. Islamic
philosophy emphasizes the use of reason to understand and explore the universe, in conjunction
with religious teachings.

-In Islamic philosophy, reason is not seen as separate from faith but rather as a means to
strengthen and deepen one’s faith. It is believed that reason and faith should harmoniously work
together, with reason guiding the interpretation of Scripture and faith providing a foundation for
moral and spiritual guidance.

f. HOW CAN YOU APPLY REASON T0 PROMOTE INTER- RELIGIOUS

COOPERATION FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE: -

- Reason can be applied to promote inter-religious cooperation for international peace by

fostering dialogue, understanding, and respect among different religious communities. By using
reason, individuals can engage in critical thinking and logical analysis to overcome prejudices
and biases.

ADDITIONALLY: - reason can be utilized to challenge extremist ideologies and promote

tolerance, inclusivity, and the acceptance of religious diversity.

g. BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY: - Branches of philosophy include: - metaphysics,

epistemology, ethics, logic, aesthetics, and social and political philosophy.

h. FIVE PROOFS FOR THE EXISTENCE GOD ACCORDING TO THOMAS

AQUINAS: -Thomas Aquinas proposed five proofs for the existence of God, known as the Five
Ways. They are: -

1. THE ARGUMENT FROM MOTION: - Everything in the world is in motion, and

there must be a first mover that sets all things in motion. This first mover is God.
2. THE ARGUMENT FROM CAUSATION: - Nothing can cause itself to exist, so there
must be a first cause that caused everything else to exist. The first cause is God.
3. THE ARGUMENT FROM CONTIGENCY: - Everything in the world is contingent
and dependent on something else for its existence. There must be a necessary being,
which is God, that causes the existence of all contingent beings.
4. THE ARGUMENT FROM DEGREES OF PERFECTION: - There are varying
degrees of perfection in the world, and there must be a being that possesses all
perfections to the highest degree. This being is God.
5. THE ARGUMENT FROM DESIGN: - The order and complexity of the universe imply
the existence of an intelligent designer. The designer is God.