UPDATE: this is starting on Saturday; if any Mersea people want to join in there are a few places left – just let me know.<\/i><\/p>\n
This is just a plug – I’ve agreed to do a course, spread across two Saturdays next May, exploring the “New Atheism” – what it is, where it’s from, what’s wrong with it, how Christians should respond to it, etc etc.<\/p>\n
It will run 10-4 on Saturdays 14th and 21st May, at West Mersea Church Hall.<\/p>\n
Details:<\/p>\n
PURPOSE \/ AIM of module:
To familiarise students with the main arguments and methods of the \u201cNew Atheists\u201d, to understand where they stand in intellectual history, and to have renewed understanding of – and confidence in – the classical Christian intellectual tradition.<\/p>\n
General – including COURSE CONTENT
Six main teaching sessions spread over the two Saturdays, plus time for small groups and plenary discussions. The six teaching sessions are expected to cover:
Introduction\/Overview, with especial attention to Richard Dawkins’ ‘The God Delusion’
Philosophical roots 1: Hume and Logical Positivism
Philosophical roots 2: Locke and the ethics of religious belief
Theological roots: the Christian origins of atheism
Different types of theism: classical and personal
How should a Christian respond to an atheist?<\/p>\n
TARGET GROUP \u2013 including prior experience needed etc.
No prior philosophical expertise will be assumed for this course, just an interest in the subject matter to be covered \u2013 all technical terms will be fully explained. It would be helpful if participants had read Dawkins’ ‘God Delusion’ or a similar book before coming on the course.<\/p>\n
For a flavour of my approach to these questions, have a look at my ‘Reasonable Atheism’ series of posts, which are listed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" UPDATE: this is starting on Saturday; if any Mersea people want to join in there are a few places left – just let me know. This is just a plug – I’ve agreed to do a course, spread across two … Continue reading