Philosophy Disc 7

PLEASE BE SURE TO MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. ALSO MAKE SURE THE SENTENCES FOR EACH SECTION ARE AT LEAST SENTENCES IN EVERY PARAGRAPH, THANKS

Your answers to each of these questions should be at least one paragraph (6-7 sentences)long, and it should show some thoughtful consideration regarding the matters raised in the questions.  Your total set of answers to these questions needs to be at least 200 words.  Also, when you reply to these questions, be sure to insert the letter for each question next to your answer corresponding to that question.

You will also need to reply to at least two students.  When you reply to another student, you do not need to reply to that student's answers to every single question for this week.  You can just pick their reply to one question and reply to their answer to that question.  Your replies to other students should be at least 100 words long each.

A. This week we are thinking about the fact that there are many different religions in the world.  Consider this issue: given that there are so many different religions in the world, what kinds of problems and tensions is this responsible for causing in the world today?

B. In our reading from the Dalai Lama he says, “I generally believe that every major religion has the potential for giving any human being good advice; there is no question that this is so” (666).  Explain what the Dalai Lama is saying here in your own words.  Do you agree with it?  Why or why not?

C. In our reading from Hick this week, he quotes Raymond Firth on the point that “religion is universal in human societies” (633).  And he quotes Wilfred Cantwell Smith on the point that “In every human community there exists something that we, as sophisticated observers, may terms religion or a religion” (633). Provide at least two concrete examples from either the modern world or from your knowledge of past history that illustrate Firth and Smith’s points.

D. This week we talked about 4 different positions: 1) Strict Exclusivism, 2) Soteriological Inclusivism, 3) Religious Pluralism, and 4) Religious Skepticism.  Briefly explain each of these positions in your own words.  End by stating which one you think is the most plausible, and be sure to make your reasons for favoring that position clear.