Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Philosophy of Religion Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026

Syllabus for Philosophy of Religion

Major · Philosophy · Semester 6 · TY BA · 4 credits · 100 marks · 60 hours

The University sets this paper under Scheme III only, so your college may not run it.

Module 1: Introduction to Philosophy of Religion

a What is religion? Nature, Scope, and Method of Philosophy of Religion
(Distinction between Philosophy, Theology and Religion)
b Faith and Reason (The role of faith in the age of science and secularism.)
c Notion of God: omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, benevolence, personhood. Puzzles relating to these attributes of God

Module 2: Arguments for and Against the Existence of God

a Ontological argument: Anselm’s view and criticisms; Cosmological argument:
Aquinas’ argument; Teleological (Aquinas and William Paley’s view)
b Blaise Pascal’s Wager argument, criticisms
c William James’ Will to Believe’ argument, criticisms

Module 3: The Problem of Evil

a The problem of evil defined: Epicurus and David Hume
b Theodicy (Saint Augustine), Free Will Defense (Alvin Plantinga)
c Shankaracharya’s Concept of Evil

Module 4: Social Transformation Through Religion

a Swami Vivekananda on Universal Religion
b Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s Social perspectives on Religion
c Shree Narayan Guru's perspectives on Religion

Reference Books

1 Hick, John. Philosophy of Religion. Prentice Hall, 1983.
2 Evans, C. Stephen. Philosophy of Religion: Thinking About Faith. InterVarsity Press, 1985.
3 Smart, Ninian. The Religious Experience of Mankind. Harper & Row, 1983.
4 Stace, W.T. Religion and the Modern Mind. Macmillan, 1952. Secondary Readings:
5 Peterson, Michael, et al. Reason and Religious Belief: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion. Oxford University Press, 2009.
6 Davies, Brian. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion. Oxford University Press, 2004.
7 Tillich, Paul. Dynamics of Faith. HarperCollins, 1957.
8 Radhakrishnan, S. An Idealist View of Life. George Allen & Unwin, 1932. Module/Unit II Primary Readings:
9 Anselm of Canterbury. Proslogion. (For Ontological Argument)
10 Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologica, Part I (Five Ways).
11 Paley, William. Natural Theology. 1802.
12 Hume, David. Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion.
13 Kant, Immanuel. Critique of Pure Reason, Book II (on arguments for God). Secondary Readings:
14 Stephen Davis, God, Reason and Theistic Proofs chapter 9 (Pascal and James)
15 Linda Zagsebski, Philosophy of Religion: A Historical Introduction chapter 3 (Pascal, James and Clifford)
16 Stuart Brown, Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction with readings chapter 7 (Clifford and James)
17 William Rowe, Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction chapter 6
18 William Wainwright (ed) The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Religion chapter 7 (Pascal and James)
19 Chad Meister, Introducing Philosophy of Religion chapters 4-6 Module/Unit III Primary Readings:
20 J. L. Mackie, “Evil and Omnipotence,” Mind, 1955 (sections explaining types of evil and logical contradictions).
21 Augustine of Hippo, Confessions (Book VII: treatment of moral evil as privation).
22 David Hume, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (Parts X & XI: discussion on suffering and nature).
23 Alvin Plantinga, God, Freedom, and Evil — main text for understanding the Free Will Defence.
24 Shankaracharya, Brahma-Sūtra-Bhāṣya, Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata,1933.
25 Shankaracharya, Bhagavad Gītā Bhāṣya, Advaita Ashrama,1934.
26 Shankaracharya, Upaniṣad Bhāṣyas, Advaita Ashrama, 1938–1940. Secondary Readings:
27 William Rowe, “The Problem of Evil and Some Varieties of Atheism,” American Philosophical Quarterly, 1979 — clear distinction between kinds of evil in evidential contexts.
28 Michael L. Peterson, The Problem of Evil: Selected Readings — detailed chapters on natural vs. moral evil.
29 Marilyn McCord Adams, Horrendous Evils and the Goodness of God — discusses extreme forms of moral and natural evils.
30 John Hick, Evil and the God of Love — comparative analysis of evil, soul-making, and the structure of moral/natural evil.
31 Michael L. Peterson (ed.), Contemporary Debates in Philosophy of Religion — includes critiques and extensions of Plantinga’s defence.
32 James Beilby & David Eddy, Natural Theology: Problems and Prospects — analysis of the strengths and limitations of free will responses.
33 Michael Peterson, God and Evil- An Introduction, chapter 6 (Augustine and Leibniz)
34 Linda Zagsebski, Philosophy of Religion: A Historical Introduction chapter 7
35 Chad Meister, Introducing Philosophy of Religion chapter 7 (Augustine, Leibniz and Plantinga)
36 Richard Creel, Philosophy of Religion: The Basics chapter 12
37 Radhakrishnan, S, Indian Philosophy, Vol. II, Oxford University Press, 1927.
38 Mahadevan, T. M. P, The Philosophy of Advaita, University of Madras, 1968.
39 Chatterjee, S. & Datta, D, An Introduction to Indian Philosophy, University of Calcutta,1939.
40 Sharma, Chandradhar, A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy, Motilal Banarsidas, 1960. Module/Unit IV Primary Readings:
41 Vivekananda, Swami. The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. Vols. 1–9. Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata.
42 Vol. 1: Addresses at the Parliament of Religions (especially “Response to Welcome,” “Why We Disagree,” “The Ideal of a Universal Religion”).
43 Vol. 2: Lectures on Practical Vedanta, which articulate the philosophical basis for universality.
44 Vol. 3: Lectures from Colombo to Almora (lecture: “The Vedanta in All Its Phases”).
45 Vol. 4–6: Letters reflecting his vision of global spiritual harmony.
46 Ambedkar, B. R. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches. Government of Maharashtra, 17 Vols.
47 Vol. 1: Castes in India, Philosophy of Hinduism.
48 Vol. 3: Who Were the Shudras?
49 Vol. 5: Untouchables: Who Were They?
50 Vol. 7: Annihilation of Caste (critical text on religion and society).
51 Vol. 11: Debates on conversion and Buddhism.
52 Ambedkar, B. R. The Buddha and His Dhamma.
53 Ambedkar, B. R. Riddles in Hinduism.
54 Ambedkar, B. R. “Away from the Hindus.” In Writings and Speeches.
55 Narayana Guru. Atmopadesa Śatakam. Sree Narayana Trust.
56 Narayana Guru. Daiva Dasakam (Ten Verses to God).
57 Narayana Guru. Jati Nirnayam (Critique of Caste).
58 Collected Works of Narayana Guru.
59 Speeches and teachings recorded by disciples such as Nataraja Guru and Sahodaran Ayyappan. Secondary Readings:
60 Arvind Sharma (ed.). The Legacy of Swami Vivekananda: A Multidimensional Interpretation. Motilal Banarsidass.
61 Nikhilananda, Swami. Vivekananda: A Biography. Advaita Ashrama.
62 Christopher Isherwood. Vivekananda: The Living Vedanta.
63 Makarand Paranjape. Swami Vivekananda: A Contemporary Reader. Oxford University Press.
64 Anantanand Rambachan. The Advaita Worldview: God, World, and Humanity. SUNY Press.
65 Aloysius, G. “Universal Religion and the Spiritual Nationalism of Vivekananda.” Economic and Political Weekly.
66 Articles in Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies and Philosophy East & West on Vivekananda’s pluralism.
67 Valerian Rodrigues (ed.). The Essential Writings of B. R. Ambedkar. Oxford University Press.
68 Gail Omvedt. Ambedkar: Towards an Enlightened India. Penguin.
69 Eleanor Zelliot. Ambedkar’s World: The Making of Babasaheb and the Dalit Movement.
70 Aloysius, G. Religion as Emancipatory Identity: Buddhism and Tamil Society.
71 Gopal Guru & Sundar Sarukkai. The Cracked Mirror.
72 Jaffrelot, Christophe. Dr. Ambedkar and Untouchability: Analysing and Fighting Caste.
73 Articles in Economic and Political Weekly (EPW) and Journal of Buddhist Ethics.
74 Nataraja Guru. The Word of the Guru: Life and Teachings of Narayana Guru.
75 Swami Muni Narayana Prasad. The Philosophy of Narayana Guru. D.K. Printworld.
76 Raman, A. R. Sree Narayana Guru: Life and Teachings.
77 K. N. Panikkar. “Reform and Transformation: Sree Narayana Guru.” In Culture, Ideology, Hegemony.
78 Patrick Olivelle. “Social Reform and the Religious Thought of Narayana Guru.”

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