The Teleological Argument

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, analogies, and concepts related to the Teleological Argument as presented by Aquinas, Paley, and Swinburne.

Teleological Argument

An a posteriori argument from observation of order, purpose, and design in the universe, also known as the Argument from Design.

Telos

The Greek word meaning end or purpose.

Spatial Order

A aspect of design focused on beauty, symmetry, and complexity in nature.

Temporal Order

An aspect of design focused on the regularity of natural laws over time.

Anthropic Fine-Tuning

An aspect of design asserting that the universe is suited for life.

Aquinas' Fifth Way

An argument from purpose and regularity in nature stating that non-intelligent natural objects act toward an end and must be directed by an intelligent being.

Archer Analogy

Aquinas' comparison illustrating that natural objects lacking intelligence must be directed toward a purpose by an intelligent director, just as an arrow is directed by an archer.

Natural Theology (1802)

The work by William Paley arguing that the natural world shows order, purpose, and complexity, implying an intelligent designer.

Watch Analogy

Paley's analogy comparing an intricate watch (which implies a watchmaker) to complex natural features like the human eye, which imply an intelligent designer.

Swinburne's Argument

An updated design argument using probability and scientific laws to argue that the order and regularity of the universe are best explained by God.

10 Card Shuffling Machine Analogy

Swinburne's analogy showing that just as 10 randomly shuffled cards coming out ordered 1-10 implies design over chance, the precise fine-tuning of the universe ($1\text{ in }10^{10^{123}}$) is most probably explained by God.