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Total Categories: 4
Fideism, as an epistemological theory, asserts that faith is fundamentally dependent on reason, positing reason as the superior faculty for attaining certain truths.
Answer: False
Fideism, by definition, posits that faith is independent of reason, and may even be superior to reason for apprehending certain truths, particularly in natural theology.
The term 'fideism' originates from the Latin word 'fides', which literally translates to 'faith-ism'.
Answer: True
The term 'fideism' is indeed derived from the Latin 'fides', meaning 'faith', and thus literally translates to 'faith-ism'.
Strict fideism permits reason a significant role in the discovery of theological truths, whereas moderate fideism posits that faith ultimately transcends reason.
Answer: False
Strict fideism holds that reason has no role in discovering theological truths, while moderate fideism suggests that while some truth can be known through reason, faith ultimately stands above reason.
The doctrine of fideism is universally consistent with all prominent theories of truth, encompassing correspondence, pragmatic, and coherence theories.
Answer: False
The source states that the doctrine of fideism is consistent with some theories of truth while being radically contrary to others.
Which of the following accurately defines Fideism as an epistemological theory?
Answer: A theory that maintains faith is independent of reason, and potentially superior for certain truths.
Fideism is defined as an epistemological theory asserting that faith is independent of reason, and may even be superior for certain truths.
From which Latin root does the term 'fideism' originate?
Answer: Fides
The term 'fideism' is derived from the Latin word 'fides', meaning 'faith'.
What is a defining characteristic of 'strict fideism'?
Answer: It asserts that reason has no role in discovering theological truths.
Strict fideism asserts that reason has no legitimate role in discovering theological truths.
Which of the following theories of truth is NOT explicitly enumerated as potentially consistent or contrary to fideism?
Answer: Evolutionary theory
The article lists correspondence, pragmatic, constructivist, consensus, coherence, and subjectivism theories of truth, but not evolutionary theory.
Søren Kierkegaard, Blaise Pascal, William James, and Ludwig Wittgenstein are historically the philosophers most frequently associated with fideism, a categorization often applied by their intellectual adversaries.
Answer: True
The source explicitly states that these four philosophers are historically most commonly attributed with fideism, often by their opponents.
Immanuel Kant's philosophical framework is occasionally linked to a qualified form of fideism due to his proposition of denying knowledge to create space for faith.
Answer: True
Immanuel Kant's suggestion to 'deny knowledge in order to make room for faith' is cited as the basis for attributing a qualified form of fideism to his philosophy, recognizing limits of reason.
Tertullian's renowned statement 'the Son of God died; it is by all means to be believed, because it is absurd' illustrates a fideistic principle of assenting to belief precisely because a concept transcends rational explanation.
Answer: True
Tertullian's quote from *De Carne Christi* is presented as an example of a fideistic concept, highlighting belief in something that defies rational explanation.
The assertion 'Credo quia absurdum' is broadly accepted as a direct and precise quotation from Tertullian, indicative of his absolute rejection of reason.
Answer: False
The source states that 'Credo quia absurdum' is sometimes considered a misquotation of Tertullian, and that he was critiquing intellectual arrogance, not completely rejecting reason.
William of Ockham, recognized as a fideist, held that belief in God constituted a matter of knowledge, and he diligently endeavored to furnish rational proofs for divine existence.
Answer: False
William of Ockham was a fideist who held that belief in God is exclusively a matter of faith, not knowledge, and he denied all alleged rational proofs for God's existence.
Martin Luther taught that reason serves as the preeminent ally of faith, particularly in navigating Christian mysteries, by facilitating their comprehension.
Answer: False
Martin Luther stated that 'Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has,' especially regarding Christian mysteries, indicating a strong opposition, not alliance.
Pascal's Wager is categorized as a form of fideism because it posits that the decision to embrace belief in God holds value even in the absence of rational demonstration of divine existence.
Answer: True
Pascal's Wager is considered fideistic because it suggests the value of belief without requiring rational proof of God's existence, focusing on pragmatic outcomes.
A limitation of Pascal's Wager, as articulated in the text, is its specific restriction to the Christian God, thereby diminishing its applicability to other religious traditions.
Answer: False
The article states that a problem with Pascal's Wager is that it *does not* restrict itself to a specific god, even though Pascal himself had the Christian God in mind.
Johann Georg Hamann, recognized as the progenitor of modern antirationalism, advocated the perspective that faith alone ought to govern human conduct.
Answer: True
Johann Georg Hamann is identified as the father of modern antirationalism and promoted the view that faith alone should be the sole guide for human conduct.
Hamann utilized David Hume's work to contend that all human actions are ultimately predicated on reason, rather than faith, thereby bolstering rationalist positions.
Answer: False
Hamann used Hume's work to argue the opposite: that all human actions are ultimately based on faith, not reason, thus supporting antirationalism.
Søren Kierkegaard contended that God's existence can be ascertained with certainty through rational justification, a necessary precondition for the embrace of faith.
Answer: False
Kierkegaard argued that God's existence cannot be known with certainty and that faith does not require rational justification.
Many of Kierkegaard's literary works were published under his own name to guarantee clear attribution of his personal convictions.
Answer: False
Many of Kierkegaard's works were published under pseudonyms, which may not represent his own personal beliefs.
William James's concept of the 'will to believe' posits that certain religious inquiries can only be resolved through an initial act of belief, as comprehension emerges through practical engagement.
Answer: True
William James's 'will to believe' argues that some religious questions require initial belief to be answered, as understanding comes through seeing if doctrines 'work' in practice.
Lev Shestov is associated with moderate fideism, which proposes that religious truth can be attained through a synthesis of reason and faith.
Answer: False
Lev Shestov is associated with *radical* fideism, which maintains that religious truth can only be acquired by *completely rejecting* reason.
Which philosopher is NOT explicitly listed among those historically most frequently associated with fideism?
Answer: John Locke
John Locke is not listed among Søren Kierkegaard, Blaise Pascal, William James, and Ludwig Wittgenstein, who are the philosophers most commonly associated with fideism in the text.
Immanuel Kant's notable suggestion to 'deny knowledge in order to make room for faith' implies what about the scope of reason?
Answer: There are limits to reason in certain domains, making space for belief.
Kant's statement implies a recognition of the limits of reason in certain domains, thereby creating conceptual space for belief.
Tertullian's quote 'the Son of God died; it is by all means to be believed, because it is absurd' originates from which of his treatises?
Answer: De Carne Christi
The quote is explicitly stated to come from Tertullian's work *De Carne Christi* (On the Flesh of Christ).
What was William of Ockham's philosophical position regarding rational proofs for God's existence?
Answer: He denied all alleged rational proofs for God's existence.
William of Ockham, a fideist, denied all alleged rational proofs for God's existence, holding that belief in God is exclusively a matter of faith.
How did Martin Luther characterize the role of reason in relation to Christian faith and its mysteries?
Answer: Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has, especially regarding Christian mysteries.
Martin Luther stated that 'Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has,' especially regarding Christian mysteries.
Under what specific condition did Martin Luther permit the use of reason for Christians?
Answer: When it is grounded upon faith in Christ and serves piety.
Luther conceded that reason could be used when it is grounded upon faith in Christ and serves piety.
What is a significant limitation of Pascal's Wager, as identified in the provided source?
Answer: It does not restrict itself to a specific god.
The article notes that a problem with Pascal's Wager is that it does not restrict itself to a specific god, even though Pascal himself had the Christian God in mind.
Why did Blaise Pascal deem traditional rational proofs of God's existence to be inconsequential?
Answer: He thought the beings they might demonstrate would not align with the deity of historical faiths.
Pascal considered such proofs irrelevant because the beings they might demonstrate would not align with the personal deity of historical faiths, potentially leading to deism.
Who is recognized as the progenitor of modern antirationalism?
Answer: Johann Georg Hamann
Johann Georg Hamann is considered the father of modern antirationalism.
How did Johann Georg Hamann leverage David Hume's philosophical work to bolster his arguments for the primacy of faith?
Answer: He argued that Hume's skepticism showed all human actions are ultimately based on faith.
Hamann used Hume's skepticism to argue that all human actions are ultimately based on faith, contending that without inherent faith, human affairs could not continue.
What was a significant point of philosophical agreement between Immanuel Kant and Johann Georg Hamann?
Answer: The view that reason is incapable of attaining knowledge of God's existence or the immortality of the soul.
Both Kant and Hamann agreed that reason is incapable of attaining knowledge of God's existence or the immortality of the soul.
What philosophical concept did William James introduce in 1896 that pertained to religious inquiry?
Answer: The will to believe
William James introduced the concept of the 'will to believe' in 1896, arguing that some religious questions require initial belief to be answered.
What is the fundamental tenet of radical fideism, as associated with Lev Shestov?
Answer: Religious truth can only be acquired by completely rejecting reason.
Radical fideism, associated with Lev Shestov, maintains that religious truth can only be acquired by completely rejecting reason.
Alvin Plantinga defines fideism as the exclusive reliance on reason, coupled with a disparagement of faith, particularly in the pursuit of philosophical or religious truth.
Answer: False
Alvin Plantinga defines fideism as 'the exclusive or basic reliance upon faith alone, accompanied by a consequent disparagement of reason,' which is the opposite of the statement.
According to Alvin Plantinga, a fideist's primary objective is to demonstrate God's existence through rational argumentation, based on the conviction that reason can attain all forms of truth.
Answer: False
Alvin Plantinga states that a fideist's primary objective is to seek truth, affirming that reason is incapable of achieving certain kinds of truth, which must be accepted solely through faith.
According to Kai Nielsen's interpretation of 'Wittgensteinian Fideism,' religion constitutes a self-contained endeavor governed by its own internal logic, rendering it impervious to external critique.
Answer: True
Kai Nielsen's interpretation of 'Wittgensteinian Fideism' posits that religion is a self-contained and expressive endeavor, governed by its own internal logic, making it immune to external criticism.
Ludwig Wittgenstein held that Christianity is fundamentally predicated on historical truth, and that disproving Gospel accounts would consequently undermine belief.
Answer: False
Wittgenstein stated that 'Christianity is not based on historical truth' and that even if Gospel accounts were demonstrably false, belief would lose nothing.
Presuppositional apologetics, primarily linked to Calvinist Protestantism, asserts that all human cognition must commence with the axiomatic proposition that the Bible's revelation is veridical.
Answer: True
Presuppositional apologetics, associated with Calvinist Protestantism, asserts that all human thought must begin with the axiomatic proposition that the Bible's revelation is true.
Cornelius Van Til, a presuppositional apologist, posited that genuine unbelief is unattainable, as all individuals, whether consciously or subconsciously, inherently believe in God.
Answer: True
Cornelius Van Til made the unique claim that a condition of true unbelief is impossible, asserting that all people, consciously or subconsciously, believe in God.
According to Alvin Plantinga, what constitutes the primary objective of a fideist?
Answer: To seek truth, affirming that reason is incapable of achieving certain kinds of truth.
Plantinga states that a fideist's primary objective is to seek truth, affirming that reason is incapable of achieving certain kinds of truth, which must be accepted solely through faith.
According to Kai Nielsen's characterization of 'Wittgensteinian Fideism,' how is the nature of religion conceptualized?
Answer: As a self-contained endeavor governed by its own internal logic, immune to external criticism.
Kai Nielsen's interpretation posits that religion is a self-contained endeavor governed by its own internal logic, making it immune to external criticism.
How does presuppositional apologetics endeavor to distinguish itself from fideism?
Answer: By asserting that all human thought must begin with the Bible's revelation as true.
Presuppositional apologetics differentiates itself by asserting that all human thought must begin with the axiomatic proposition that the Bible's revelation is true.
What distinctive assertion did Cornelius Van Til make concerning universal human belief in God?
Answer: That true unbelief is impossible, as all people subconsciously believe in God.
Cornelius Van Til claimed that true unbelief is impossible, as all people, consciously or subconsciously, believe in God.
Catholic doctrine officially endorses fideism, asserting that God's existence is not demonstrable through rational inquiry.
Answer: False
Catholic doctrine officially rejects fideism, maintaining that God's existence can indeed be demonstrated through reason, with condemnations dating back to 1348.
What is the official doctrinal position of the Catholic Church concerning fideism?
Answer: It rejects fideism, maintaining that God's existence can be demonstrated through reason.
Catholic doctrine officially rejects fideism, maintaining that God's existence can be demonstrated through reason.
What affirmation regarding God's existence was mandated for Catholics by the Anti-Modernist oath, promulgated by Pope Pius X?
Answer: That God can be known with certainty by natural reason from the created world.
The Anti-Modernist oath required Catholics to affirm that God can be known with certainty by natural reason from the created world.
According to the *Catechism of the Catholic Church*, what constitutes a limitation that impedes human reason from effectively apprehending God?
Answer: The impact of senses, imagination, and disordered appetites resulting from original sin.
The *Catechism* states that the impact of senses, imagination, and disordered appetites resulting from original sin hinder reason's effective use in knowing God.
What cautionary statement did Pope John Paul II articulate in his encyclical *Fides et Ratio* regarding fideism?
Answer: A warning against a resurgence of fideism that fails to recognize the importance of rational knowledge for understanding faith.
Pope John Paul II warned against a resurgence of fideism that fails to recognize the importance of rational knowledge and philosophical discourse for understanding faith.
Why do certain theologians critique fideism, characterizing it as 'blind faith'?
Answer: Because they contend that if one does not attempt to understand what one believes, it does not constitute true faith.
Theologians criticize fideism as 'blind faith' because they contend that if one does not attempt to understand what one believes, it does not constitute true faith.
Which of the following represents a common criticism leveled against fideism concerning its potential societal implications?
Answer: It can potentially lead to relativism, suggesting all beliefs are equally valid without rational grounding.
A common criticism is that fideism can potentially lead to relativism, suggesting all beliefs are equally valid without rational grounding.
What argument is typically advanced in favor of reason when contrasted with fideism?
Answer: Reason's successful application in daily problem-solving and its role in increasing knowledge, particularly in science.
An argument for reason highlights its successful application in daily problem-solving and its role in increasing knowledge, particularly in science.