Essay Questions for Exam 1 (T14 -- FRIDAY)

Essay Questions for Exam 1

1. State and explain Anselm’s argument for the existence of God. In your answer, be sure to identify the strategy of the argument and explain the logic of the argument. Discuss at least two of Gaunilo’s criticisms of Anselm’s argument. Indicate which criticism you find to be most effective. For the criticism you take to be most effective, indicate how a defender of Anselm’s argument might respond. Finally, take a stance on whether that response is effective; be sure to give reasons to support your position.


2. State and explain Paley’s version of the Argument from Design. Be sure to identify and explain Paley’s strategy. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of Paley’s argument; it should be clear to the reader why a particular feature of his argument counts as a strength or weakness. For any weaknesses that you identify, discuss how Paley’s argument could be made stronger. Finally, discuss whether the new-and-improved version of Paley’s argument is successful. Be sure to support your overall assessment of the new-and-improved version of the Argument from Design.


3. State and explain the apparent conflict between God’s omniscience and human freedom. Then explain Boethius’s proposed solution. In your considered opinion, does Boethius’s solution eliminate the conflict between God’s omniscience and human freedom? Explain and support your answer.

4. Anne Minas argues that a divine being cannot forgive. Discuss how Minas argues for her position, then subject her argument to critical evaluation. Specifically, identify the parts of her argument that you believe are correct and the parts that you believe are mistaken. It should be clear to the reader why you think that parts of her argument are successful and other parts are not successful. Based on your analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of her argument, come to a reasoned conclusion regarding the overall strength of her argument.

Note: We did not discuss all aspects of Minas’ argument. For instance, we did not discuss her argument that God cannot be injured and thus cannot be wronged.
You are not responsible for this aspect of her argument on the exam. However, you may discuss this part of her argument in the essay; just make sure that you have a good understanding of this part of her article.

5. Alvin Plantinga argues that belief in God can be properly basic. Explain what it means for a belief to be basic and why Plantinga believes that belief in God can be properly basic. In order to fully explain why Plantinga believes that belief in God can be properly basic, you will need to explain why he rejects the foundationalist’s strong criteria for basicality. State and explain one major objection to Plantinga’s argument. If Plantinga provides a response to this objection, explain and evaluate the merits of his response. If Plantinga does not provide a response to this objection, consider how he might respond and evaluate the merits of that predicted response.