The teleological argument summary

what is the teleological argument also known as?

• The design argument

What is the argument based on?

It is based upon observing purpose in living things

Summarise the main arguments:

From observing the universe and nature, it is clear that everything has been designed with a purpose in mind, this pose suggests that here is an external intelligence that has created it with a purpose in mind, directing it towards that purpose. The intelligence behind the purpose in the world is God.

What is the analogy of the archer given by Aquinas?

An arrow cannot achieve it’s purpose without the direction of an archer, in the same way that God directs the universe.

What does aquinas argue the teleological argument from?

Design Qua regularity

What does Aquinas argue?

• The overall order in the world is proof of a designer that we call God. Everything works together to achieve order, despite inanimate objects having no mind or rational capabilities to do so.

Strengths of Aquinas:

• clear examples in nature of non thinking beings acting to achieve a purpose- eg a sunflower turns towards the sun.

• Natural things are directed towards their purpose

• we need an explanation for purpose as purpose suggests conscience- God is an explanation which works.

Weaknesses of Aquinas’ teleological argument:

• could be another explanation for apparent purpose- living beings/organisms look purposeful but they have evolved to suit their environment.

• seems to have a design but but really its just a process of the less adapted dying out- Darwinism+ natural selection ( the selfish gene)

• Aquinas makes an assumption about purpose- could be down to chance.

• natural things may not have innate purpose- down to human construct

• Purpose may change/have different purpose

• Aquinas is accused of committing a logical fallacy

• Even if there is an external force of intelligence directing the world, who says it’s the Christian god. Why not Aristotles prime mover?

What is William Payless argument?

The design of the universe cannot be by chance due to its extremely complex nature- cannot have come about by accident- it must have been designed.

It’s the natural world that’s complex not just the things Human Make.

IE. The eye is extremely complex

What analogy does Payley use to demonstrate his argument:

• The analogy of the watch

Critisms of Payley

• There are things which do not have an obvious purpose

• What happens if complex things produce complex things

• Evolution

• Infinite regress

• Designer doesn’t have to be a the theistic god- world incompatible with qualities of a Christian God.

• Humans have influence on the world

• Inductive leap

How does evolution undermine the teleological argument?

• Payley unaware of evolution

• Evolution hasn’t been designed, its been adapted over millions of years

• “Natural selection”- not random

• Payley would argue that God created polar bears with white fur for protection but really their white fur is a result of adaption over millions of years

How would you counter the critique of evolution?

• There must be some design to evolution

• Even though evolution seems random- God has planned it we just don’t know it.

How could you undermine this argument?

• The “design” of evolution entails a plan when clearly there is no plan

• Evolution is not random it is a consequence of natural selection

Analyse the argument that the design argument doesn’t prove the exisistence of God as it would lead to infinite regress?

• God= necessary being

• However- what makes him necessary?

What is the Piece of work called where Richard Dawkins Critiques Payley ?

• “The blind watchmaker”

What does Richard Dawkins argue?

• Evolution produces something that seems complex

What does Hume call Payley analogy?

• an “unsound” analogy

How does David Hume critique Payley?

• Intelligence is governing the world, it doesnt have to be God, could be gravity etc.

• Hume uses analogy of the house- There are several creators- not one creater, whilst Payley would argue there is only one designer- who says this has to be God?

• WE DON’T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THE UNIVERSE TO SAY THERE IS DESIGNER

What does John Stuart Mill argue?

• Humans influence the design of the world.

What does Darwin say about evolution?

Just because it seems ridiculous and difficult to understand it doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened.

What is FR Tenants Anthropic principle?

• The universe is fine tuned for humans exisistence

• If we shifted the laws of physics slightly then nothing would exist

• God is simplest answer to this- ochamzs razor

How would you critise the anthropic principle?

• only 13% of universe is habitable for humans

• World is extremely hostile to humans