Last modified: 20 Jun 2025 15:13
In this course students will take up the problem of the origins of evil in light of the science of human origins and evaluate attempts at a solution in light of the challenges posed by both theology and science.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Traditional Christian accounts of the origins of evil hold that evil, both moral and natural, is explained by sin; and sin, in turn, is explained by fault.
Modern accounts of evolution make this account difficult to believe. Indeed, it appears the traditional account has the story backwards: human sin is an effect, not a cause, of the violence, suffering, and death that are intrinsic to the world. However, despite the increasing implausibility of the traditional account, few have proposed an adequate alternative.
In this course students will take up the problem of the origins of evil in light of the science of human origins and evaluate attempts at a solution in light of the challenges posed by both theology and science.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
A form with clear criteria will be drawn up and distributed to students. Feedback will be via this form. This assignment will not be by wordcount but by source count. Students will aim for 10 sources and will offer one small paragraph of annotation for each. Assessment due in week 6 of the course, with feedback provided in week 9. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | To analyse the impact that evolutionary thinking about human origins has on traditional accounts of the origins of evil. |
| Factual | Understand | To understand the basics of evolution and its implications for thinking about the origins of evil. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Feedback will be given by comments on MyAberdeen. Assessment due at the end of term with feedback 3 weeks later. |
Word Count | 3000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | To analyse the impact that evolutionary thinking about human origins has on traditional accounts of the origins of evil. |
| Factual | Understand | To understand the basics of evolution and its implications for thinking about the origins of evil. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To critically reflect upon whether and, if so, how, theories about the origins of evil should be rethought in light of natural science. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Students may submit questions and comments prior to class if preferred. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | To analyse the impact that evolutionary thinking about human origins has on traditional accounts of the origins of evil. |
| Factual | Understand | To understand the basics of evolution and its implications for thinking about the origins of evil. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To critically reflect upon whether and, if so, how, theories about the origins of evil should be rethought in light of natural science. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | Word Count | 4000 | ||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Understand | To understand the basics of evolution and its implications for thinking about the origins of evil. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | To analyse the impact that evolutionary thinking about human origins has on traditional accounts of the origins of evil. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To critically reflect upon whether and, if so, how, theories about the origins of evil should be rethought in light of natural science. |
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