What is the Teleological Argument?

Teleological Argument: an argument for the existence of God, or, more generally, for an intelligent creator “based on perceived evidence of deliberate design in the natural or physical world”.

How arguments can be structured?

• Arguments > Deductive Arguments > a) premises, b) conclusion

• Arguments > Inductive Arguments > a) premises, b) conclusion

Premise(s): a proposition/s (statement(s) that expresses a judgement or opinion) which forms the basis for a theory (system of ideas intended to explain something) | ideas put forward that are expressed as a means to help formulate a theory

A deductive argument is one in which the premises, which are known to be true, will guarantee a true conclusion; it is impossible for the premises to be true but the conclusion if false - based on evidence.

• e.g. Socrates was a man true premise

• e.g. All men are mortal true premise

• e.g. Socrates was mortal true conclusion

An inductive argument is based on evidence, but is one in which true premises may not guarantee a true conclusion; it is possible for the premises to be true but the conclusion false

• e.g. Socrates was Greek true premise

• e.g. Most Greeks eat fish true premise

• e.g. Socrates ate fish likely to be a true conclusion but could be false

• Inductive reasoning is used to show the likelihood that an argument will prove true in the future

  • in the case of inductive reasoning, a statement may seem to be true until an exception is found e.g. A person might inductively reason, for example, that all people have 10 toes till they see an exception.

A Posteriori: knowledge is obtained through experience

A Priori: knowledge is obtained by analysing concepts independent of experience

what does teleology mean?

• stems from Greek word ‘telos’ meaning ‘end’ or ‘purpose’

  • e.g. telos of a pen is for writing

• ‘Teleological’ refers to one who looks at the end results to draw a conclusion

  • used in philosophy as an argument for the existence of God to suggest that there is order/purpose to the world

    • also known as design argument

    • based on observation of the apparent order, design and purpose in the universe and natural world e.g. changing seasons, intricate human body, life style of animals

Premise: the universe has order, purpose and reason

P: the complexity of the universe shows evidence of design

P: such design implies a designer

Conclusion: the designer of the universe is God

↳ a posteriori, inductive