arguments for the existence of God 1

Vocabulary flashcards defining key terms, analogies, and philosophical criticisms from the Design and Ontological arguments for the existence of God.

A Posteriori

Based on experience or observation.

Empirical

Uses evidence from the world.

Inductive

An argument where the conclusion is probable, rather than logically certain.

Analogical

An argument that compares two things.

Teleological

An argument that reasons from purpose or design in the world to the existence of a designer or God.

Paley's Watch Analogy

The core argument comparing a complex, regular, and purposeful watch found on a heath—which implies a watchmaker—to the universe, concluding that the natural world requires an intelligent designer (God).

Human Eye Example

An example used by William Paley where different parts cooperate to enable sight, demonstrating purposeful organisation in nature.

Fish Example

An example used by William Paley showing that fish have fins and gills perfectly suited to living in water, demonstrating purposeful design.

Anthropic Principle

The observation that the universe appears remarkably suited to supporting life, suggesting conditions permitting life stem from purpose or design rather than pure accident.

Natural Theology

An approach to understanding God using reason and empirical observation of the world, without needing the Bible or religious experience.

Weak Analogy Criticism

David Hume's critique that comparing a watch to the universe is flawed because we have observed humans making watches, but we have never observed anyone making a universe.

Evolution by Natural Selection

Charles Darwin's mechanism explaining how biological organisms became adapted to their environments over time, providing an alternative explanation for apparent design without requiring a designer.

Who Designed the Designer?

David Hume's objection arguing that if complexity requires a designer, an incredibly complex God must also require a designer, meaning introducing God does not solve the problem of existence.

Problem of Evil (Design Criticism)

David Hume's argument that disease, earthquakes, suffering, and natural disasters show the world does not obviously demonstrate an omnibenevolent and omnipotent designer.

A Priori

Independent of experience.

Deductive

An argument where, if the premises are true, the conclusion necessarily follows.

Analytic

Based upon concepts and definitions.

Anselm's Definition of God

"That than which nothing greater can be conceived," referring to the greatest conceivable being.

Proslogion 3

The section of Anselm's work where he argues that God possesses necessary existence and cannot fail to exist, as a being that cannot fail to exist is greater than one that could cease to exist.

Reductio ad Absurdum (Gaunilo)

Gaunilo's method of critique applying Anselm's logic to a "greatest conceivable island" to demonstrate that one cannot define something into existence.

Contingent Being

A thing (such as Gaunilo's island) that does not have to exist, as opposed to a necessary being.

Kant's Criticism of Existence as a Predicate

Immanuel Kant's argument using the comparison of $\text{\textsterling}100$ in imagination versus reality to show that existence is not a real predicate or defining property that makes a concept greater.