Phil 230: Atheism (Vailati) Fall 09

Write a paper on one of the following topics. For length and due date, please see the syllabus.

1. Suppose that our basic moral intuitions are the result of evolution. Would morality be in serious trouble, as Craig Lane, for example, thinks? Discuss.

2. Some hold that atheism deprives human life of meaning. Why? Do you agree? Explain.

3. Pick one of the authors we read who became an atheist on moral grounds. If you were a theist, how would you try to convince him/her that his/her main arguments against theism are specious?

4. Do you find the Argument from Design satisfactory? If so, why? If not, why not?