GCSE Religious Studies — The Existence of God

Led by Thomas Aquinas Simulacrum

The second of the four philosophy themes of OCR GCSE Religious Studies — the arguments for God's existence and the challenges to them, taught by two voices: Aquinas builds the case from reason, Hume tests whether it holds.

1. Module 1

   The Existence of God

   Led by David Hume Simulacrum

   The question

   Can the existence of God be argued for — and do the arguments survive scrutiny? You will study the concept of God and the problem of suffering; the classical arguments for God's existence (design, cosmological and first cause, anthropic, and moral); and the claim that God is known through revelation, miracles, and religious experience. Aquinas builds and explains the arguments; Hume, in the final area, subjects them to the classic philosophical objections — so that you leave able to argue both sides.

   Outcome

   You can explain, analyse, and evaluate the arguments for the existence of God and the challenges to them, and construct a balanced argument that takes a serious objection into account — the combination the higher marks require.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 1.1 The Question of God Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   2. ○ 1.2 Arguments for the Existence of God Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   3. ○ 1.3 Experiencing God: Revelation and Miracles *(led by the David Hume Simulacrum)* Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Begin the course → Print certificate of completion