Design argument

Outline Paley’s argument from spatial order

Deductive

P1. In nature we find things which have certain complex features , parts functioning for a purpose

P2. Anything which exhibits these features must have been designed

P3. So there are things in nature which have been designed by a designer

P4. Universe like these things , possess features on a wonderous scale

P5. Designer must have a mind distinct from that which designed

C.The universe must have been designed by a perfect designer , God

Criticism of Paley’s design argument from spatial order

No experience of world making

Reply to criticism of Palye’s argument

Infer designer from complexity of parts

Response to criticism of spatial order

Just because some parts of a watch don’t work doesn’t mean to say it wasn’t designed . Overwhelming the world does fit together have purpose and work

Criticism - Hume problem of spatial order

Feature in world no clear order/purpose

E.g. Earthquakes , tsunamis , suffering animals , evil

Hume’s design argument from analogy

P1. In the fitting of means to ends nature resembles the product of human design

P2. Similar effects have similar causes

P3. The cause of the products of human design is an intelligent mind that intended design

C. Therefore cause of nature is an intelligent mind that intended the design , God

Hume’s 1st criticism of argument from analogy

Weak analogy - compare something that isn’t very similar

Minds always connected to bodies , God meant to be incorporeal

Criticism Hume’s God is not the best or only explanation for 2 reasons

Universe originated by chance

Evolution shows over time animals adapt not designed but adapt by nature for purpose and a function

Don’t need to say things are designed

3rd criticism of argument from analogy

God best/only explanation

Complex machine results of trial and error

Team of Gods

Designers more like humans than God

Make mistakes

Response to criticism of team of Gods

Ockham’s razor , one perfect God much simpler , don’t need to put forward unnecessary entities such as Gods who design

Evaluate Hume’s criticism

Idea of evolution most appealing does not violate ockham’s razor team of gods complicated weak analogy makes sense , evolution the strongest

Outline Swinburne’s argument from temporal order / regularities of succession

Abductive , classical theist / personalism

P1. Regularities of succession occur due to natural laws to personal choice

P2. Natural laws cannot be explained by other natural laws

P3. Science assumes natures order make x about it

P4. By analogy explain natural laws as a result of personal choice of intelligent being

C. Assume existence of intelligent designer God

What are two criticisms of Swinburne’s argument from spatial order

The problem of spatial order

Problem of evil

Why does the design argument fail

Cannot legitimately infer God from evidence where other equally plausible alternative explanations are possible

what type of argument is Hume’s from analogy ?

Abductive

Define regularities of succession

predictable patterns or processes such as things in nature that come after another in a very predictable and law-like way . There is an order to the world nature , physics , biology signifying something may have been intentionally designed

What are the two criticisms that God is not the best or only explanation

1. Appearance of design through random process

2. Design does not show God exists

Sum up Paleys argument from spatial order

perfect designer

purpose

natural theology

natural function show design

deductive a priori

complex features / purpose prove existence of designer

Sum up Hume’s argument from analogy

‘In fitting to a means end ‘

Purpose

Probable

Abductive a posteriori

Natural religion

Intelligent designer

Similar effects similar cause

Natue resemble product of human design

Sum up Swinburne’s argument from regularities of succession

Intelligent designer

regularities not purpose

Abductive a priori

laws of nature and personal choice