Class #2, 1/30/12

**Roster and misc. issues--any problems obtaining text?

**Discussion points for the Euthyphro:

• Any difficulties reading the text--what don't you get?
• Does the discussion with Euthyphro live up to Socrates' motto:  "I tell you that . . . examining both myself and others is really the very best thing that a man can do, and that life without this sort of examination is not worth living."
• What was this about?  Did you find that this discussion arrived at satisfactory answers?
• What proposed definitions of "piety" or "holiness" do Socrates and Euthyphro consider?
• Why can't Socrates and Euthyphro come to a satisfactory definition of holiness?
• Does Socrates believe it is possible to define holiness?
• Why does Socrates think that holiness must be "the same in every sphere of activity"?
• Why does Socrates consider "the most ingenious feature" of his art to be his ability to make the products of Euthyphro's mind not "stay put"?
• Since his conversation with Euthyphro moves in a circle, ending where it began, does Socrates intend it to teach us something other than a definition of holiness?
• Is Euthyphro justified in prosecuting his father for the worker's death?
• Do you agree with Socrates that there is only one standard by which all things are holy and unholy?

**A little more to help us follow the argument:




**What does this discussion mean for the hope of success in defining "holiness," "religion," or other terms during this semester?
          --Maybe it's not as bleak as it looks....

**For next week, 2/6/12:  We'll turn to an actual account of "religious experience" and some ways to interpret what's going on with it--in Part Two of the text, read the following articles:
------>Pp 40ff:  St. Theresa of Jesus, [her description of a series of experiences];
------>Pp 43ff:  Philosopher William James, "Religious Experience as Feelings forming the Root of Religion;"
------>Pp 68ff:  Philosopher Michael Martin, "Critique of Religious Experience."

**Write a page:  There are two questions I'd like your feedback on--
------>What do you make of Saint Theresa's account?
------>Do you side with either James or Martin, or would you explain this in some other manner?  Briefly explain.

Class #1, 1/23/12--WELCOME!

This is the course blog for Philosophy of Religion, PHIL 3323, for Spring Semester, 2012.

You'll find here the agendas for each class, important information about scheduling in case of bad weather or other emergencies, and interesting news from the world of religion.

Tonight's labors:

**Roster, introduction, info sheets.

**Here is the text information:  Peterson, Hasker, Reichenbach and Bassinger, eds., Philosophy of Religion:  Selected Readings, 2010, Fourth Edition, Oxford University Press, ISBN #978-0-19-539359-0.

**Syllabus:  https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2bhCDyTewNUYjBmMjRjYTYtOGJiNC00NjM3LTk4M2YtMzJlNTI1NDI2NTIz

**Calendar:  https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2bhCDyTewNUNTg2YTlhYzAtNDY0OS00MzQ3LWE5ODEtMTcwNTg1ZjAyNmE1

**Defining basic terms:
          1. What is Philosophy?
          2. What is Religion?
          3. Relationships and issues in this field.

**Since we'll be reading the dialogue "Euthyphro" for next week, a little background on Socrates might be helpful:




**Just for fun, here's a teaser to lead into your reading of "Euthyphro."

**Complete student info page.

**For next class, 1/30:
Read the handouts:
------>Fletcher, "Slow Reading"
------>Plato, "Euthyphro"--read this with a pencil and highlighter!
In writing, complete and be ready to hand in the questions over "Slow Reading".