GCSE Philosophy and Ethics Practice Exam

Which philosopher is primarily associated with the view that religious experiences are more wish fulfillment than proof of God's existence?

1. Immanuel Kant

2. René Descartes

3. Sigmund Freud

4. Thomas Aquinas

The correct answer is: Immanuel Kant

The view that religious experiences are more about wish fulfillment rather than proof of God's existence is most closely associated with Sigmund Freud. Freud, known for his psychoanalytic theories, argued that religion is a psychological construct that arises from humanity's desire for comfort and security. He believed that religious beliefs and experiences are projections of human wishes and needs rather than evidence of a divine reality. In contrast, Immanuel Kant approached the topic of religion from an epistemological and ethical standpoint, emphasizing the importance of moral law and the limits of human reason in understanding the divine. Kant acknowledged the significance of religious experiences but did not specifically frame them as wish fulfillment. René Descartes is known for his contributions to rationalism and belief in God’s existence through clear and distinct perceptions, not for linking religious experiences to psychological desires. Similarly, Thomas Aquinas built a strong philosophical framework around the existence of God based on observation and reason, arguing for the rational foundations of faith rather than categorizing it as mere wish fulfillment.