Liberty University PHIL 201 Module Week 1 Study Guide Lesson 3 complete solutions correct answers A+

Liberty University PHIL 201 Module Week 1 Study Guide Lesson 3 complete solutions correct answers A+

Study Guide Lesson 1

Study Guide Lesson 2

The Importance of Philosophy for Christians

Lesson Overview

In our last lesson for this module/week, we examined why developing the philosophical mindset is important for people in general. In this lesson, we want to ask that question specifically for Christians. What value does philosophy have for Christians? We will begin by examining the biblical basis for developing a philosophical mindset. We will discuss the biblical mandate for philosophy and three elements in fulfilling that mandate. We will then survey a number of roles that philosophy functions for Christians. Finally, we will examine the role that the Bible plays in doing philosophy.

Tasks

Read and take notes from Prelude to Philosophy, Chapter 3: “What Athens has to do with Jerusalem: The Importance of Philosophy for Christians.” As you read, make sure you understand the following points and questions:

·         Know the historical and literary background to Col. 2:8.

·         Be able to explain Col. 2:8 (know what it says, but you do not need to memorize it).

·         Identify the 3 elements in fulfilling the biblical mandate.

·         Why do some Christians devalue the use of reason?

·         What does Jesus affirm about the use of reason?

·         How does Acts 17 demonstrate the value of reason?

·         Know what I Pet. 3:15 states (you do not need to memorize it).

·         What does II Tim. 2:15 have to say about constructing a Christian worldview?

·         What are some elements of II Cor. 10:5 that inform us that Paul is referring to philosophy here?

·         What are we all called to do?

·         List and explain the 5 functions of philosophy for the Christian.

·         Explain how hermeneutics is a philosophical endeavor.

·         How does philosophy help in systematic theology and developing theological concepts?

·         List 2 ways in which philosophy helps in the task of apologetics?

·         How does philosophy help in doing polemics?

·         How is the philosophical mindset effective in doing evangelism?

·         Explain the problems with the 2 extreme views of the role of the Bible in doing philosophy.

·         What are some reasons why Christians adopt an “erroneous view of the use of the Bible?”

·         Know the 6 guidelines for a critical use of Scripture in doing philosophy.

·         Explain what is meant by critical and strategic use of scripture.

View and take notes on the presentation, “The Bible and Philosophy.”

Terms

Make sure you fully understand the following terms and concepts:

·         Reasonable Faith

·         Ladder of Abstraction (footnote 13 on p. 86)

·         Hermeneutics

·         Theology

·         Systematic Theology

·         Apologetics

·         Polemics

·         Evangelism

·         Myth of Neutrality

·         Proof-Texting

·         Supererogatory Act

·         Critical

·         Strategic

Study Guide: Lesson 2

Philosophy’s General Importance and Divisions

Lesson Overview

Having discussed what philosophy is, we now consider why it is important for all persons in general. (In the next lesson, we will come back to the question of why it is important for Christians, specifically, to study philosophy.) In this lesson we introduce the idea of the philosophic mindset. We will end by providing an overview of the different branches/divisions of philosophy.

Tasks

Read and take notes from Chapter 2 of Foreman’s Prelude to Philosophy: “Why is Philosophy Important?” As you read, make sure to understand the following points and questions:

·         What is meant by the philosophical mindset?

·         How does the job/vocation analogy apply to adopting the philosophical mindset?

·         List and explain the 5 reasons provided for why it is important to develop a philosophical mindset.

·         What are the 2 benefits of examining and evaluating beliefs?

·         What are the 2 respects in which clarification is important?

·         Why is clarification important in philosophical discussions?

·         Distinguish between the 2 kinds of arguing in 4 ways.

·         What kind of arguing do philosophers do?

·         What are 2 values for arguing in philosophy?

·         What is the difference between having a worldview and establishing a worldview?

·         What are the 3 elements of a worldview?

·         If there is inconsistency in a worldview, how do we determine what should change?

·         What should we do when we encounter new information that challenges our worldview?

·         List and explain 5 ways philosophy is practical.

·         What did Kierkegaard mean when he said we should understand life backward but live it forward?

·         Why are our daily choices important?

·         How is philosophy important to other fields of study?

·         How does the philosophical mindset help in moral decision making?

·         How does philosophy help us relate to other people?

·         What was Bertrand Russell’s point?

View the video “The Branches of Philosophy,” and then read Chapter 4 of Foreman’s Prelude to Philosophy: “The Divisions of Philosophy.” Be able to identify the kinds of questions that come under each branch.

Study Guide: Lesson 1

What is Philosophy?

Lesson Overview

Welcome to this introductory course in philosophy. For our first lesson, we are going to examine the question: What is philosophy? There are 4 ways you can get to know what a discipline is: define it, describe it, contrast and compare it with other disciplines, and finally experience it. In this first lesson, we will aim to accomplish the first 3 of these activities. The rest of the course will be an exercise in experiencing philosophy.

Tasks

View and take notes of the presentation, “Misconceptions about Philosophy.”

Read and take notes on Prelude to Philosophy, Chapter 1: “What is Philosophy?” As you read, make sure you understand the following points and questions:

·         List 4 reasons students often presuppose a low view of philosophy.

·         Know Socrates’ quote: What is the unexamined life? What did he mean when he said it wasn’t worth living?

·         Know the etymology of the word “philosophy.”

·         Know the working definition of “philosophy” and explain each of its elements.

·         List and explain each of the 6 characteristics under the description of philosophy.

·         Contrast and compare philosophy with religion, science, and art. How are they different and how are they similar?

·         Explain the value of experiential knowledge in distinction to propositional knowledge.

Terms

Make sure you fully understand the following terms and concepts:

·         The unexamined life

·         The rational animal

·         Normative claim

·         Wisdom

·         Philosophy

·         Critical examination

·         Clarification

·         Justification

·         Evaluation

·         Foundational beliefs

·         Presupposition

·         First-order discipline

·         Second-order discipline

·         Ambiguous

·         Vague

·         Worldview

·         Scientism

·         Propositional knowledge

·         Experiential knowledge