PHIL101 - Teleological Arguments L4

Cosmological vs. Teleological Arguments

• Cosmological arguments:

  • Begin with general observations about the universe.
  • Focus on the concept of cause.

• Teleological arguments:

  • Start from specific observations regarding order and design in the universe.
  • Focus on purpose or design.
  • Gained prominence in the 18th century, correlating with advancements in science.
  • Often associated with theism and contemplation of nature's wonders.

The Argument from Design (Teleological Argument)

• Teleological arguments emphasize:
  • The universe exhibits significant order and systematic characteristics.
  • Certain objects seem well-suited for their purposes (fitness).
  • This fitness suggests an intelligent designer behind the universe.

Paley’s Argument from Design

• William Paley's famous analogy:
  • If one found a watch on the ground, its intricate workings imply a designer.
  • Paley compares the complexity of living organisms to that of a watch.
  • Claims that such complexity indicates an intelligent designer.

Types of Arguments: Non-Deductive vs. Deductive

• Paley's argument is non-deductive, implying conclusions without strict validity.
• Key examples:
  1. Argument from analogy:
  • Watches are designed (1).
  • Organisms behave like watches (2).
  • Organisms are designed (3).
  1. Argument to the best explanation:
  • Organisms' complexity (1).
  • Only intelligent design can explain this (2).
  • Therefore, organisms were designed (3).

Local vs. Global Teleological Arguments

• Global focus: Entire universe exhibits design traits.
• Local focus: Specific parts of nature (e.g., human eye) show design marks.

Hume’s Critique

• David Hume questioned the comparison between the universe and a watch:
  • Proposed the universe might be flawed compared to a perfect design.
  • Argued the universe may be the product of an infant or imperfect deity.
  • Suggested that its design does not parallel a watch’s.

Design without Designer

• Not every ordered appearance implies a designer.
• Natural processes can create order without intelligence.

Evolution vs. Teleological Argument

• To analyze teleology:
  • Identify phenomena needing explanation (e.g., organism adaptation).
  • Consider alternative theories (e.g., Darwin’s evolution).
• Before Darwin, fixed species suggested intelligent design.

Evidence for Evolution

• Darwinian theory provides:
  • Fossil records showing gradual evolutionary changes.
  • Explanations for imperfections in designs (e.g., human birth canal).

Imperfection in Design

• Examples:
  • Human eye: complexity leads to a blind spot, signaling imperfect design.
• Suggests historical evolution rather than intelligent design.

Predictive Equivalence Problem

• Hypotheses:
  1. Life evolved through natural selection (H1).
  2. God created life as if it evolved (H2).
• Both hypotheses yield similar predictions.

Conceptions of Deity

• Challenge in inferring a deity from design:
  • Design does not necessitate a benevolent or singular designer.

Summary and Conclusion

• Teleological arguments are primarily non-deductive, with analogies and inference methods.
• Their strength diminished with Darwin’s evolution theory, which offers a more robust explanation for organisms' adaptations.