RESPONSE ESSAY ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
The response essay is an opportunity for you to reflect on course reading and material and synthesize this material into a cogent argument answering philosophical questions and challenges.
INSTRUCTIONS
In this module, we have discussed the chief argument against God – the “problem of evil.” (It is assumed you have read ch. 13 in Dew & Gould before beginning this assignment.) In this essay, you will consider three additional articles related to the problem of evil in theism:
• “The Absurdity of Life without God,” by Craig
• “Suffering: Richard Dawkins Contra Jesus,” by Thomas
• “The Plight of the New Atheism: A Critique” (only pages 822–823), by Habermas
Your essay, which should cite the three readings above, must respond to each of the questions below:
1. Briefly compare and contrast the three readings: what are some philosophical similarities and differences?
2. Can life have objective meaning without God? Defend your answer making reference (pro or con) to the reading(s).
3. Could life be “good” without objective meaning? Defend your answer making reference (pro or con) to the reading(s).
4. What effect do your conclusions regarding the problem of evil have, in your view, on the philosophical case for God’s existence? Explain how and why.
Your essay of at least 600 words must be in current MLA, APA, or Turabian format. Lengthy quotations will not count towards the minimum word count.