P: Teleological Knowledge

Question 1

Define Proposition.

Answer 1

A point which is made to prove the argument under discussion.

Question 2

Define Premise.

Answer 2

A point that forms the basis of a theory (a point you assume to be true).

Question 3

What is A Priori?

Answer 3

Refers to knowledge based on theoretical reasoning. Doesn’t require empirical evidence as it is theoretical.

Question 4

What is A Posteriori?

Answer 4

Refers to knowledge that can be proven true or false due to logic alone. It requires empirical evidence.

Question 5

What are Tautologies?

Answer 5

These are statements which are true due to mathematical nature or definition.

Question 6

What is Design qua Purpose?

Answer 6

The concept that every part of the universe has purpose and the way that the parts fit together is purposeful.

Question 7

What is the Analogy of the Arrow?

Answer 7

The idea that humans lack knowledge to an end and therefore we cannot move towards an end unless being directed by something more powerful (a creator). The comparison is that the bow and arrow must be directed by a human.

Question 8

A quote that relates to the design argument.

Answer 8

“ No man in his senses would think the existence of the watch accounted for being told that it was one out of the possible combinations of material form”

Question 9

A quote that relates to the design argument and God being a single designer.

Answer 9

“Of the Unity of the Deity, the proof is, the uniformity of plan observable in the universe”

Question 10

Why did Paley argue that there was a single designer?

Answer 10

Paley implied there was a single designer (God), but he had help by those he created (eg. Angels).

Question 11

What are TWO example of Design qua Regularity?

Answer 11

• The order of the planets, night, day and seasons are all consistent and scientists believe these aren’t coincidental.
• Earth is the exact correct distance from the sun allowing human life. If it was any further or closer, earth would be inhabitable.

Question 12

Explain the Analogy of the watch.

Answer 12

Paley compared the universe to a watch in a way that a watch consists of various parts which fit together in complex ways. We know an intelligent designer would have had to make it. Similarly, Paley compares the creation of the universe to this analogy, supporting the idea that it requires an intelligent designer.

Question 13

What are TWO examples of Design qua Purpose?

Answer 13

• the universe can be compared to man made machines (every part has purpose).
• the eye is a complex fixture which is made up of each purposeful part.

Question 14

What was the first of Humes Challenges of the design argument?

Answer 14

Hume argued that not all things have designers.

Question 15

What are TWO examples to support Humes argument that “not all things have designers”?

Answer 15

Example 1. Spiders make webs without a designer.
Example 2. Plants grow without a designer.

Question 16

What is a quote to support Humes argument that “not all things have designers”?

Answer 16

“ Why an orderly system may not be spun from the belly as well as from the brain, it will be difficult for him to give a satisfactory reason”

Question 17

What was the second Humes challenges of the design argument?

Answer 17

Hume said that some designed things have multiple designers and are not determined by a single designer.

Question 18

What is a quote which supports Humes argument that “ some designs have multiple designers”?

Answer 18

“ a great number of men join in building a house or ship, in rearing a city, in framing a common wealth: Why may not several deities combine in contriving and framing a world?”

Question 19

What was the third Humes challenges of the design argument? And why?

Answer 19

Hume argued that there is no reason to assume that the designer is a Christian God. He said the universe is full or evil and suffering, this is an incompetent thing for God to do if he is so called omnipotent and omnibenevolent.

Question 20

What is a quote which supports Humes argument that “ there is not reason to assume the designer is a Christian god”?

Answer 20

“ His power we allow infinite: whatever he will is executed: but neither man nor any other animal are happy: therefore he does not will their happiness”.

Question 21

What was Paleys objection to “ some complex things do not have designers”?

Answer 21

Paley argued that no one believes that complex things happen by chance, therefore if complex things come out as a result of natural law, then these laws must have been created by the work of a designer. For there to be a law, it must be composed by someone.

Question 22

What is a quote to support Paleys argument that “ for there to be natural moral law, it must have been composed by a designer? “

Answer 22

“ No man in his senses would thing the existence if the watch accounted for being told that it was one out of the possible combinations of material form”.

Question 23

What is Paleys objection to “ Some designed things have multiple designers “?

Answer 23

Paley argues that there was one creator (God), but he had help from those he created (Eg. Angels).

Question 24

What is a quote to support Paleys argument that “ God is the creator but he had help from those he created”?

Answer 24

“ OF the ‘unity of the Deity’ , the proof is, the uniformity of plan observable in the universe”.

Question 25

What was Paleys objection to “ the designer is not a Christian God as he allows evil and suffering”?

Answer 25

Paley argues that if God was evil we would have been designed for pain, but instead we are designed so that pain shows that something is wrong and should be fixed.

Question 26

What is a quote that supports Paleys argument that “if God was evil we would have been designed fir pain”?

Answer 26

“ Teeth are designed to eat not to ache”.

Question 27

Define Deductive Argument.

Answer 27

An argument that aims to prove something with certainty (conclusion must be true). LOGIC IS NECESSARY.

Question 28

Define Inductive Argument.

Answer 28

An argument that aims to show the LIKLIHOOD of something being true . (Possible for conclusion to be incorrect).

Question 29

What does “Reduction ad absurdum mean”?

Answer 29

The method of attempting to falsify a theory that is so far fetched it has passed the point of logic, as its claims are beyond absurdity.

Question 30

What is the Design qua Regularity?

Answer 30

The idea that the universe must have had a designer due to the order and regularity of the universe being evidence of a designer at work.