Design Argument Flashcards
What is the design argument?
The argument that the world was designed by God
Who created an analogy with a watch?
William Paley
What can the design argument also be known as?
The teleological argument
What is an a posteriori argument?
An argument based on the evidence of our observation of the world
Name three supporters of the design argument for
Tennant
Swinburne
Behe
Name 4 critics of the design argument
Mill
Hume
Dawkins
Darwin
What is Tennant’s aesthetic principle?
The universe has natural beauty beyond that which is necessary to live which shows the handicraft of God.
What is Tennant’s anthropic principle?
The conditions of the universe are too perfect to be created by chance, it had to be designed.
What does Aquinas argue in his fifth way?
For the existence of God by evidence of beneficial order in the universe (things work towards a purpose)
Who created the intelligent design argument?
Michael Behe
What is intelligent design?
Certain features are best explained by an intelligent design but it doesn’t try to identify the intelligent cause it just says that one must exist
Who created the angle of probability?
Swinburne
What is the angle of probability?
Evidence of design increases the probability of the existence of God
Name three of the 7 features that Swinburne said increase the probability of God designing the universe
1 - the very existence of the universe 2 - the fact the universe is ordered 3 - the existence of consciousness 4 - human opportunities to do good 5 - pattern of history 6 - evidence of miracles 7 - religious experience
What is Mill’s main critique of the design argument?
Evil and suffering
Give an example of poor design
Pointless existence of appendix in humans // pointless existence of wings in flightless birds such as ostriches
How many criticisms does Hume have?
5
Give two of Humes criticisms
1 - the analogy of the watch is unsound 2 - why one God why not many? 3 - bad design (natural disasters etc) 4 - the world is not like a machine 5 - we think the world is organised but in fact it's just chaos
Which scholar uses science to criticise the design argument?
Darwin
How did Darwin destroy the concept of purposeful design and the world’s beauty as God’s work?
Through survival of the fittest
Who argues from the notion of purpose?
Richard Dawkins
What is the notion of purpose?
The universe has no purpose, it is a human conceit
Who said “purpose lies within humans, not outside”?
Richard Dawkins
Gives two weaknesses of the design argument
(Use booklet for answers)
Give two strengths of the design argument
(Use booklet for answers)
