Arguments for the existence of God (Design Argument) Flashcards
Which philosopher is associated with the design argument?
William Paley
Who is William Daley?
An English clergyman and philosopher
In what book did William Paley present his design argument in?
Natural Theology or Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity
When was Natural Theology originally published?
1802
What kind of argument is the design argument?
- A posteriori
- Inductive
How is the design argument an a posteriori argument?
It is based on empirical observations and evidence from the natural world
How is the design argument an inductive argument?
It uses the premises to infer a new probable conclusion (using examples of order in the world to suggest there’s probably a designer)
Can inductive arguments be used as proofs?
- Evidence is not proof
- Knowledge based on experience is defeasible
Knowledge based on experience is defeasible.
What does this statement mean?
There could be further evidence that is currently unknown which would show it to be false
What is the design argument?
(also known as the teleological argument)
An argument for the existence of God based on the apparent design and order in the natural world
What analogy does William Paley use in the design argument?
Watchmaker analogy
What is the watchmaker analogy? (short version)
The watchmaker analogy compares the complexity of a watch, which implies a designer, to the complexity of the universe, suggesting it too must have a designer
What is the watchmaker analogy? (long version)
There is something about a watch which suggests it had not always been lying there. It is composed of parts which are intricately formed so as to produce a motion which is so meticulously regulated as to point out the hour and minute of the day. It has complexity which is arranged so as to perform a purpose. If the parts were themselves any differently shaped or composed of other materials, or were placed in any other arrangement, the purpose of telling the time would not have resulted. The watch could not have come about by chance nor been there forever because it has complexity and purpose. This must mean it had a designer - a watch maker.
Paley states that there are also things (other than a watch) in the universe that are complex and have a purpose. Like what?
- The complexity of the human eye which s arranged to fulfil the purpose of enabling us to see
- The wings of a bird and fins of a fish which are examples of complexity fitted together to perform a purpose of flying and swimming
Paley argued that the intricate complexity and order found in…
living organisms and the natural world cannot be the result of chance or randomness. He believed that such complexity and order necessitate an intelligent designer.
Paley watchmaker analogy quote
“Every manifestation of design, which existed in the watch, exists in the works of nature”
What is the fine-tuning argument?
Paley also made the case for the fine-tuning of the universe. He argued that the precise balance of physical constants and conditions necessary for life to exist strongly suggests the existence of an intelligent designer.
What is Occam’s razor?
Occam’s razor (also known as lex parsimoniae) is a principle that states that among competing hypotheses the one with the fewest assumptions or entities should be preferred
Which quote is associated with Occam’s razor?
“Entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity”
How can Occam’s razor be used as a strength for the design argument?
God is the simplest explanation
In monotheistic theology, the doctrine of ______ __________ (DDS) says that God is simple (without parts) - God is “_____________ ______”
In monotheistic theology, the doctrine of Divine Simplicity (DDS) says that God is simple (without parts) - God is “ontologically simple”
What does design qua Purpose mean?
The combination of complexity and purpose (which we observe in natural objects and beings) is best explained by a designer
What does anthropomorphic mean?
Language that attributes human characteristics or ideas to non-human entities
How can anthropomorphism be utilised as a critique against the design argument?
The use of human-like attributes to explain the design of the universe is problematic because it relies on an analogy between human creations and cosmic phenomena. This anthropomorphic projection may lead to an oversimplification of the nature of the designer and the complexities involved in the creation of the universe.
What counters the idea provided by Occam’s razor that God is the simplest explanation of the design in the world?
Hume’s Epicurean hypothesis
What is Hume’s Epicurean hypothesis?
The universe (including its order and complexity) could have arisen from the random combination of atoms and natural processes – without the need for an intelligent designer
How can Hume’s Epicurean hypothesis be used as a critique against the design argument?
It is also consistent with modern science but explains order and design without reference to a God – showing that the God explanation is unnecessary. It suggests that the apparent order and complexity in the universe can be the result of natural processes and random chance rather than the deliberate work of an intelligent designer.
The fact that the design argument is a posteriori can be viewed as a strength – How does Hume counter this strength?
Hume aims to show that a posteriori observation of the world cannot provide a basis to conclude that a perfect God exists because the world contains imperfections like evil. Hume isn’t trying to prove that there is no designer – just that a posteriori evidence cannot be used to show that the designer must be the God of classical theism.
How can Paley be defended from the argument provided by Hume that the evil in the world is evidence against God?
Evil may be unavoidable in order for God to bring about good:
– soul-making requires evil
– free will requires evil
