Against: Design Argument

Question 1

David Hume

Answer 1

Criticised analogies
Wrote before Paley
Nothing is comparable
God can’t be explained in human terms, anthropomorphism
“it is an absurdity to believe that the deity has human passions”

Question 2

Charles Darwin

Answer 2

All species evolved from common ancestors
Main works- ‘on the origin of species’
Evolution is superior to design
Natural selection

Question 3

Richard Dawkins

Answer 3

'The Blind Watchmaker'
Universe came about through a series of chances
Purpose is a human concept
Blind watchmaker=natural selection:
No purpose
Based on traits
Can't predict the future
(Engineer analogy)
"the designer himself, the engineer, is explained by natural selection"

Question 4

John Stuart Mill

Answer 4

Imperfections in nature - inconsistent triad
Nature takes lives indiscriminately
Intelligent design in humans not nature
Nature fires “her weapons indiscriminately”

Question 5

Immanuel Kant

Answer 5

Doesn’t create matter, manipulates it
We imagine design to cope, regularity
Can’t use conclusions that go beyond your observations

Question 6

Against da: ao1

Answer 6

David Hume
Richard Dawkins
John Suart Mill