DA: argument for the existance of God Flashcards
What is the Design argument?
1- Teleological argument, Greek “telos” meaning “goal or purpose”
2- a posteriori argument- Claims there’s evidence of designer through design, relying on external empirical evidence as proof
3- Inductive
Points for the Design argument
1- Based on ‘Qua regularity”+ “Qua purpose” covered regularity, purpose + complexity. The mean regularity in universe or evidence world created purpose.
2- Analogical comparison between 2 features of 2 different things.
Evidence
-Paley; natural theology
“Design is too strong to be gotten over… Design must have had a designer”
-Watch + universe; complexity and arrangements serves purpose
Couldn’t have occurred by chance=purpose giver
Intelligent watch maker/ infinitely great designer
Explanation
1) Thus, example on earth: Birds wings,feathers + bone structure is Ideal for flight = “qua purpose”
2) Regularity of planetary orbits; gives seasons = “qua regularity”
AO2; Criticisms
Hume’s criticisms of design, can be applied to Paley’s D.A
1)Says; Inappropriate to use mechanistic analogy- as deliberately implying a creator. To be objective + use vegetable; weakens explanation of need of a designer.
2) Anthropomorphic language- comparison of a designer in our image
Hume; “ infant deity.. ashamed of his lame performance.” Dialogues N.R
3) Not necessarily Christian God. Teamwork if often the case behind design; no. of deities male + female = universe .
4) INDUCTIVE.