The Teleological Argument

what is the teleological argument

the study of telos, which is where everything in the world is designed with a purpose.

William Paley’s Design Qua Purpose

— doesn’t matter if the watch is not perfect, the point is the watch’s existence was designed for a purpose. CONC - if any parts were made differently the watch would to fail to reach its telos. all parts are assembled purposefully by a designer

eye —→ watch

watch showed evidence of a designer = watchmaker. eye = sign of God. Most complex design is the universe.

Cicero quote

“what could be more clear or obvious when we look into the sky”

2nd part of paley’s argument

astronomy, newton’s law of motion, gravity, = desgin in the universe

Paley’s design qua regularity

this design shows routine and consistency e.g. rotation of the solar system and they all obey the same universal law. this cannot be by chance thus there must be an external agent who imposed order onto the universe.

Aquinas Quote

“everything operates as to a design. this design is from God.”

Aquinas’ 5th way

Design qua regularity - conclusion everything in the world that does not think for itself heads towards its telos because it is directed by something which does think.

aquinas’ example of the archer and arrow

the arrow hits the target even though it dos not have mind of its own. the archer (who does have a mind) shot the arrow.

regularity of succession

everything in nature follows certain results in order to achieve certain outcomes. one thing after another