Paley's Design Argument Flashcards
Outline Paley’s Argument in logical formulation
P1- Aspects of nature contain similar traits as of man made artefacts.
P2- These like traits hint towards a designer of nature.
P3- This designer must be both distinct from nature and humanity.
C1- This designer is God.
Outline the objection regarding distinction
The components of nature and human creation are too distinct to be compared; this faulty comparison demonstrates the incoherence in Paley’s premise in that he isn’t considering the objects in their own right.
Outline the objection regarding causation
Hume highlighted the inconsistency in Paley’s logic; if aspects of nature and humanity have been caused and therefore designed, what designed the primary designer of God?
What is the main point of Paley’s Argument from Design?
The world is the creation of intelligent design which can be explained through the work of an all-powerful god.