Paley - The Teleological Argument - Arguments based on observation

Question 1

What does the teleological argument say is evidence of Gods existence?

Answer 1

Design within the universe

Question 2

What is the comparison in the teleological argument?

Answer 2

Paley argues if we were to see a watch we would assume it has a designer, a watchmaker. So when we see an infinitely more complex object, eg the universe, why then would we not assume it has a creator and is natural?

Question 3

How does Humes criticise Paleys comparison?

Answer 3

Humes say that by comparing the universe to a watch, which is man-made, he is being deterministic. He argues the two are too different and therefore lettuce, or something else natural, is a better comparison. We cannot compare design of nature to the design of a watch.

Question 4

What else does Hume’s criticise?

Answer 4

• Even if we accept that there is evidence of design, its illogical to then conclude there’s a designer- all we can conclude is order.
• Nature can design itself (natural selection/evolution), so why would the universe not be able too?
• Evidence of bad design (eg: cancer) challenges the idea of an all loving God

Question 5

What does Paleys’ three vital comments?

Answer 5

• The argument still stands even if we had never seen a watch before
• The argument still stands even if the watch did not work perfectly as the world has imperfections as well
• Even if we do not fully understand the design of the watch, we would still conclude it has been designed and is not natural

Question 6

What were Paley’s conclusions

Answer 6

• The watch was made for a purpose (telling the time)
• The parts all work together (regularity)
• The parts are ordered in a way to make it function, if they were arranged differently, it wouldn’t work.

Question 7

Why is the argument being simple a strength?

Answer 7

Its argued that the most simple explanation is the best and likely correct by Swinburne

Question 8

Why does evolution not destroy the design theory?

Answer 8

1) Evolution doesn’t explain itself
2) Evolution is compatible with the belief in God

Question 9

What is it hard to deny about the universe?

Answer 9

That there is order and complexity

Question 10

Why does the idea of evil not destroy the argument?

Answer 10

Evil may be needed to create Good- without evil how would we know what good was?

Question 11

The design argument is what type of argument?

Answer 11

Inductive and A posteriori

Question 12

Which of Aquinas’ ways does Paley take inspiration from?

Answer 12

His 5th way: an argument from final causes, or ends, in nature (the argument for design)

Question 13

What does Humes say the argument risks being?

Answer 13

Anthropomorphism - the attribution of human characteristics or behaviour to a god, animal, or object.