RST3708 – Postmodern Philosophy of Religion
2021 – Semester 1 & Semester 2 – Examination Question Paper
Instructions for answering this portfolio question paper:
This portfolio comprises TWO sections, Section A and Section B. Answer THREE questions,
one from Section A and two from Section B. Section A which is compulsory carries 20
marks and Section B (options) carries 40 marks each. Total 100 marks
Question 1:
Discuss similarities and differences in the postmodernist and twentieth century
philosophies of Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, Foucault, Arendt, and Russell as they relate to
the concept of god/God. For example, you may want to compare and contrast Nietzsche
and Heidegger’s views of God, those of Sartre and Foucault, and the ideas of Arendt and
Russell in this regard.
Question 2:
Write an essay in which you, on the basis of Chidester’s analysis, discuss WEB Du Bois’
changing views on African indigenous religion with respect to the fetish, God and its
relationship to the Black Church in the USA.
Question 3:
This question consists of two parts. Please answer both questions:
a) Discuss Frantz Fanon’s characterization of the colonial black self-understanding.
b) According to Fanon, how should Africans respond to the colonial dehumanising
tendencies?
Question 5:
Discuss one of the following in essay form
1) How did the philosophers, Al-Kindi and Al-Farabi, develop Islamic neo-Platonism
2) “Practice in Islam is its own philosophy”. Discuss.
Question 6:
Discuss one of the following in essay form:
1) the critique of Islamic neo-Platonism by the Muslim thinker, Al-Ghazali
2) How the Perennialist school views modernity
Question 7:
Write an essay in which you compare the concepts of self in Hinduism and Buddhism.
Question 8:
Write an essay discussing the differences between conceptions of deity in Hinduism and
Buddhism.
Page 1 of 12
, Question 9:
Write an essay that distinguishes the different understandings of dharma, karma and
liberation in Hinduism and Buddhism.
EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE UPON PURCHASE OF
THIS DOCUMENT
Disclaimer: Extreme care has been used to create this document, however the contents are
provided ‘as is’ without any representation or warranties, express of implied. This document is
to be used for comparison, research and reference purposes ONLY. Directly submitting and/or
reselling/distribution/reproduction any part of this document is not permitted. REMAINING
ANSWERS ONLY AVAILABLE UPON PURCHASE OF THIS DOCUMENT (Please note Question 1,
Question 7 and Question 9 was answered within this document)
Page 2 of 12
2021 – Semester 1 & Semester 2 – Examination Question Paper
Instructions for answering this portfolio question paper:
This portfolio comprises TWO sections, Section A and Section B. Answer THREE questions,
one from Section A and two from Section B. Section A which is compulsory carries 20
marks and Section B (options) carries 40 marks each. Total 100 marks
Question 1:
Discuss similarities and differences in the postmodernist and twentieth century
philosophies of Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, Foucault, Arendt, and Russell as they relate to
the concept of god/God. For example, you may want to compare and contrast Nietzsche
and Heidegger’s views of God, those of Sartre and Foucault, and the ideas of Arendt and
Russell in this regard.
Question 2:
Write an essay in which you, on the basis of Chidester’s analysis, discuss WEB Du Bois’
changing views on African indigenous religion with respect to the fetish, God and its
relationship to the Black Church in the USA.
Question 3:
This question consists of two parts. Please answer both questions:
a) Discuss Frantz Fanon’s characterization of the colonial black self-understanding.
b) According to Fanon, how should Africans respond to the colonial dehumanising
tendencies?
Question 5:
Discuss one of the following in essay form
1) How did the philosophers, Al-Kindi and Al-Farabi, develop Islamic neo-Platonism
2) “Practice in Islam is its own philosophy”. Discuss.
Question 6:
Discuss one of the following in essay form:
1) the critique of Islamic neo-Platonism by the Muslim thinker, Al-Ghazali
2) How the Perennialist school views modernity
Question 7:
Write an essay in which you compare the concepts of self in Hinduism and Buddhism.
Question 8:
Write an essay discussing the differences between conceptions of deity in Hinduism and
Buddhism.
Page 1 of 12
, Question 9:
Write an essay that distinguishes the different understandings of dharma, karma and
liberation in Hinduism and Buddhism.
EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE UPON PURCHASE OF
THIS DOCUMENT
Disclaimer: Extreme care has been used to create this document, however the contents are
provided ‘as is’ without any representation or warranties, express of implied. This document is
to be used for comparison, research and reference purposes ONLY. Directly submitting and/or
reselling/distribution/reproduction any part of this document is not permitted. REMAINING
ANSWERS ONLY AVAILABLE UPON PURCHASE OF THIS DOCUMENT (Please note Question 1,
Question 7 and Question 9 was answered within this document)
Page 2 of 12
