Hume's design argument from analogy

teleological arguments

a posteriori design arguments attempt to show that God exists on the basis of observations about the world and the specific properties it appears to have (temporal and spatial order)

Hume 3 fictional characters

1. Philo (sceptical)

2. Cleanthes (religious thinker)

3. Demea (orthodox thinker)

Hume P1

look around at the universe and you’ll see it consists of parts working together towards an end with incredible accuracy

Hume P2

In this way the universe resembles a great machine, as machines also consists of parts, working together towards an end with incredible accuracy

Hume P3

effects that are similar have causes that are similar

Hume P4

machines are caused by human designers possessing thought wisdom and intelligence

Hume C1

the universe must be caused by a designer of nature possessing thought and wisdom and intelligence proportional to the grandeur of the universe

Hume C2

God exists