Challenges To Inductive Arguments Flashcards
David Hume
Challenges to the cosmological argument
Just because we observe cause and effect in the universe does not mean the rule applies to the universe itself. ‘Fallacy of composition’
We have no experience of creating a universe so cannot talk meaningfully about it.
Not enough evidence to say the universe had a cause, definitely not enough to say what the cause might have been.
Even if it was God there is no way of determining if it was the God of classical theism.
David Hume
Challenges to the teleological argument
If the universe was designed by a creator in particular God why does it have so many flaws?
We have no experience with creating the universe so we cannot talk about it’s creation meaningfully.
Distinction between authentic and apparent design. Just because it looks designed doesn’t mean it is.
Even if it was designed we have nothing to compare it to so it may be designed poorly.
If it was designed there is not enough evidence to say it is the God of classical theism.
Charles Darwin’s theory of natural evolution by natural selection
He said it was natural chance which organises life in the universe according to natural selection. Natural selection works on a principle of survival of the fittest where only the strongest lives on long enough to pass its genes. Weak characteristics are bred out. It was just previously thought species were well suited to their environment because of God but this shows it was because of the ability to adapt by passing on the strongest genes suited to that environment.
