Design Argument

Question 1

Who came up with the Design Argument?

Answer 1

William Paley

Question 2

What type of argument is the design argument?

Answer 2

A posteriori/ inductive / analogical

Question 3

What is an a posteriori mean?

Answer 3

Arguments that depend on sense experience

Question 4

What does empirical mean?

Answer 4

An argument that is based on the experience of senses (touch, taste,hearing, smell and sight)

Question 5

What does inductive mean?

Answer 5

When used of arguments ,refers to those based on probability

Question 6

What is analogical ?

Answer 6

An analogy is an attempt to explain the meaning of something which is difficult to understand by comparing it with something which is difficult to understand by comparing it with something that is more securely within our reference-frame

Question 7

What is natural theology?

Answer 7

The view that questions about Gods existence , nature and attributes can be answered by reasoning, science , history and observation rather than by appeal to special revelation.

Question 8

What is a special revelation?

Answer 8

Refers to scripture or some form of religious experience

Question 9

What did Paley say about the design argument (quote) ?

Answer 9

“The marks of design are too strong to be gotten over. Design must have had a designer.That designer must have been a person. That person is GOD.

Question 10

What was Paley’s analogy?

Answer 10

When walking across rough ground, stabbing one’s toe against a stone would not raise the question of how the stone came to be there.
In coming across a watch, however, it would be reasonable to ask that question.

Question 11

Explain how Paley’s analogy of the watch applies to his Design argument?

Answer 11

-Observation would point to the watch’s complexity and to the exact suitability of its parts and its arrangement to serve its purpose, just like the universe, it is complex , it shows the same suitability of parts and arrangement to serve its purpose.
-This could not have occurred by chance- it must have been designed by a universe-maker
-The far greater complexity of the world requires an infinitely greater designer.
-This is God

Question 12

Who criticised the design argument?

Answer 12

David Hume

Question 13

Who came first, Hume or Paley?

Answer 13

Chronology is important when talking about scholars, Hume died several years before Paleys Natural Theology (which outlined the Design Argument) was published
-use language like “Hume’s criticisms of design arguments may be applied to Paley’s argument by…”

Question 14

What are some criticisms that Hume posed to the design arguments may?

Answer 14

-Weak analogy
-Anthropomorphism
-Flawed design.

Question 15

What does the weak analogy argument entail?

Answer 15

The universe isn’t like human artifacts like a watch so comparing them is flawed

Question 16

What does the criticism of anthropomorphism entail?

Answer 16

Attributing human-like qualities to God is speculative and unwarranted.

Question 17

What does the Flawed design criticism entail?

Answer 17

-Flaws and suffering in the universe suggest an imperfect or indifferent designer, not a perfect deity.

Question 18

What are weaknesses of Paley’s design argument?

Answer 18

-Claims made by theism about the nature of a designer God go way beyond the evidence
-Existence of evil suggests incompetent, indifferent or malevolent designer- or no designer at all
-Apparent order, purpose and design are just chance. Support for this from multiverse theories.

Question 19

What are some strengths of Paleys design argument?

Answer 19

-Swinburne argued that the existence of a single omnipotent God is the simplest explanation
-Paley said evil might be unavoidable for God to bring about good.
-Evolution itself requires explanation
-Paley’s claim that nature shows intention is supported by the Anthropic Principle. The. Ulyiverse theory is incapable of proof.

Question 20

What is the Anthropic principle?

Answer 20

Relates to the view that the boundary conditions of the universe had to be precisely what they are for intelligent life to develop : the belief is that we are not here by chance and that God fine-tuned these conditions.

Question 21

Does the design arguments offer proof of God? (Arguments for it cannot)

Answer 21

-Only deductive arguments can give absolute proof. The Design argument is inductive so it cannot be absolutely certain.
-Paley’s observations to support his argument can be explained naturally. If the multiverse theory is true, then the apparent design is pure chance.

Question 22

Does the Design Argument show proof of God? (Arguments in support)

Answer 22

-Most things that we accept as true in life are based on inductive arguments. They are accepted as ‘’true beyond reasonable doubt’’. The stronger the evidence the more probably true the claim is
-Some would argue that the laws of nature require explanation and that we cannot be sure that the multiverse theory is true. This means that the multiverse theory is true. This means that the challenges do not diminish the probability that Paley’s argument is true.