Design (Teleological argument) Flashcards
What is the design Argument known as?
The Teleological argument.
What does Telos mean?
goal or purpose
What is the Design argument?
• Suggests that certain aspects of the universe are so perfectly adapted to fulfill their function that they display evidence of being deliberately designed. Such design can only be explained with reference to an intelligent, infinitely great-designer – God.
What are the 3 things the Design argument is based on?
Inductive reasoning
A posteriori
Interpretation of experience.
What does Inductive reasoning mean?
Starts with a specific experience and draws general conclusions from them.
What is an a Posteriori argument?
The proof of the statement relies on external evidence. e.g. there are more boys taking computer science than girl. The external evidence is the register.
why is the design argument an A Posteriori argument?
It argues that due to the order and complexity of the universe, it can not happen by chance, it must be a result of design.
What does Interpretation of experience mean?
Since the Design argument uses inductive reasoning to produce an a Posteriori argument, its based on experience. We tend to think that experiences are the best source of authority when it comes to Knowledge.
What are 2 A02 criticisms of Interpretation of Experiences?
1) There are Hoaxes, when people deliberately try top fool us e,g, Media
2) There are illusions, hallucinations and mistakes when something seems to be true but isn’t.
Does inductive reasoning deal with Probabilities or certainites?
Probability
Of Aquinas 5 ways, which way is the Design Argument?
The 5th way. in his Summa theologica.
What does Benefical order mean?
There are things in the universe that work towards an end or purpose. Aquinas states the world has Beneficence order.
What does Aquinas observe about the Beneficial order in the universe?
He observes that the beneficial order in the universe could not happen by chance and since many objects do not have the intelligence to work towards an end or purpose, there must be something that has the intelligence, this is God, who is the explanation of beneficial order.
What is an analogy?
a comparison of two or more things to show how they
are similar.
What is William Paley’s analogy?
If you came across a watch and examined it, you wouldn’t assume that the parts of the watch came about by chance. Just like a watch, the world is ordered, and so couldn’t of come by chance.These means that the world needs a designer, which is God.The watch has a watchmaker.
What are strengths of an Analogical Argument?
1) Easier and simple to understand
2) Demonstrates that the world has a telos.
3) Helps people understand God.
What are weaknesses of an Analogical Argument?
1) By comparing God to a watch maker, shows that God is limited and non-moral.
2) Things could have come about through chance
3) Dawkins says we assume purpose but there isn;t actually purpose.
What was Hume’s critiscms of the analogical argument?
This was written 30 years prior to Paley, so it is not a direct criticism, as it was a criticism of the Design argument. He said that an Analogy only serves to demonstrate that there was a designer, but not anything of the nature of the designer.
What is Design qua Regularity ( Paley’s own form of the argument)?
The universe appears to behave according to some order of rules. This is supported by Aquinas.
What is Design Qua Purpose ( Paley’s own form of the argument) ?
The universe appears to have been designed to fufil some purpose. (Supported by William paley, Watch analogy, if any parts of the watch don’t work then it cannot work, the parts are assembled perfectly. by a designer.) The complexity of the watch suggests a watch maker.
What is the Epicurean Hypothesis? Hume agrees with it
At the beginning of time, particles are in random motion, but evolve into an ordered system. Hume agrees with these saying there is design but it has happened by chance not God.
What are 2 modern day interpretations of the Design argument?
1) Richard Swinburne - argument for Probability
2) Tennant - Antrophic principle. and Aesthetic argument
What is Richard Swinburne’s argument for Probability?
He supports Paley and Aquinas’ ideas, but states that the probability of design is greater than chance (order in the universe increases the probability of the existence of God). He employs the Ockham’s razor to deduce that God is the simplest explanation of the existence and order in the universe.
What is the Anthropic Principle, employed by FR tenant?
The conditions of earth are so uniquely designed to support human life. The universe appears to have been finely tuned for our existence.
What is an example of the Anthropic Principle?
The distance of the earth from the sun is exactly right to provide the correct temperature for life on earth.
What is the Aesthetic argument employed by FR tenant?
The universe posses natural beauty that goes beyond that which is necessary to live, but is there to develop
qualities of beauty and love. A02: we would find the universe beautiful whatever it looked like.
Who could I use in an essay to critique the Aesthetic argument? (Peacocks feathers)
Beauty can be explained in evolutionary terms: the peacocks feather, e.g. it attracts female peacocks, making it easier for the female peacock to pass on it s genes.
How does the Problem of evil and suffering pose a problem with the design of the universe?
Evil and suffering Questions God’s ability and mindset. John Stuart Mill argues that the most we can claim is that the designer of the universe might be benevolent, but must be seriously limited in power to allow such suffering.
What is the Dysteological argument (Weakness of the design Argument)
There are elements of the universe that demonstrate poor design. The problem of evil and suffering is a part of this.
Give an example of the Dysteleogical argument?
The pointless existence of an appendix, which leads to appendicitis.
What does Anthropomorphism mean?
Given God human qualities, taking away his divine ability.
What is Hume’s First argument which is a criticism of the Design Argument?
The use of an analogy anthropomorphizes God. The argument is stating that God is no better than us and that He is limited. The world is imperfect and limited, therefore the comparison is stating that God is also imperfect and limited.
What is Hume’s Second argument which is a criticism of the Design Argument?
Epicurean Hypothesis
What is the Criticism that Charles Darwin presents for his theory of evolution?
Evolution and Natural selection gives the appearance of design – but it is blind, unconscious and an automatic process. The universe is purely mechanistic, driven by biological impulses
What is a Counter point for the Criticisms of Charles Darwin?
Religion and Evolution are compatible, Evolution is a part of God’s plan. The laws that Govern natural selection was brought about by God.
What is Dawkins argument which is a criticism of the Design argument?
‘We are Grotesquely lucky to be here’ Dawkins believe that life is intrinsically special and therefore there is no need to ask for more.
What is an introduction you should always start with when speaking about the Design argument?
The design argument, known as the Telelogical argument outlines the key features providing the existence of God. It is a Posteriori argument as it argues due to the order and complexity of the universe, it cannot happen by chance, it must have a chance, which is used through Inductive reasoning. It is supported by Aquinas. Aquinas argues the world has beneficial order, as things in the universe work towards an end or purpose.
What are 4 general strengths of the Design Argument?
1) The argument is Culumative because the more we inspect nature, the more we see evidence of complexity, regularity and purpose which requires an explanation.
2) The design argument is based on what we can observe, inductive proof, so it is difficult to deny that there is some order and complexity in the universe ( also all life is similar meaning we must all share same creator)
3) Tennant’s Anthrophic princple suggests that things in the universe that work in perfect harmony ans order. This must have a designer.
4) The use of an analogy ( the watchmaker) in the argument makes it understandable to us.
What are 3 general Weaknesses of the Design Argument?
1) The order and complexity wee see might be human perception, there might not actually be any order or compleixty, perhaps we impose it ourselves. (KANT)
2) It is a God in the gaps approach, natural pheonoma is now explained by science not God. (e.g discovery of DNA, provides existence of Humanity.
3) Just because things in the world have designers, that doesn’t mean that the world itself has a designer. e.g. We have experience of house being designed and built, but we do not have experience of worlds being designed and built. (Fallacy of composition)
What is the First paragraph analyse the key weaknesses of the Design argument for the existence of God (Hume)
1) Antrophosmises God
Implying God is inconsistent with the notion of perfection, there is evidence of God being limited Global warming leading to flooding
A02: The more we inspect of nature the more we see evidence of complexity.
Counter the Order and complexity we see may just be human perception.
What is the Second paragraph analyse the key weaknesses of the Design argument for the existence of God (Dystelogical argument)?
1) Element of Poor design
God is limited in stopping evil and suffering, the existence of God is insufficient.
However The design argument is based on what we can observe, inductive proof, so it is difficult to deny that there is some order and complexity in the universe.
Counter It is a God in the gaps approach.
What is the Third paragraph of Analyse the key weaknesses of the Design argument for the existence of God (Darwin)
Evolution, species developed through natural selection, were the fittest, healthiest members of society passed on characterstics. This provides us with a rational and verifiable explanation of the universe.
However Religion and Evolution are compatible.
What is the Fourth paragraph of Analyse the key weaknesses of the Design argument for the existence of God (Dawkins)
Universe is by chance, he supports natural selection and evoluton, there is no divine purpose in the world it is a human construction. Our Telos means nothing
However Tennanat Anthrophic principle Tennant’s Anthrophic principle suggests that things in the universe that work in perfect harmony and order. This must have a designer.
What is the conclusion for this essay?
It is not Valid enough, as it is Inductive proof, meaning the conclusion is only probable, it doesn’t prove existence of God.
What is another philospher who critques the design argument?
Ayer
What does Ayer say about the design argument?
To speak of a designed universe is meaningless because unless we could say what it would be like without design we cannot reach the conclusion that it is designed.
