Philosophy

Question 1

What is the teleological argument?

Answer 1

The argument for the existence of God from the evidence of order, and hence design in nature.

Question 2

What is Aquinas’ Teleological argument?

Answer 2

• Summa Theologica- 5 ways in which human reason can discover the existence of God
• The fifth argument and the least convincing in Aquinas’ eyes is the teleological argument

Question 3

What is the Aquinas’ Fifth Way?

Answer 3

• his argument is based on natural observation
• there are things in nature which act in a certain way to achieve the same result
• indicating that actions don’t happen by chance but by intention
• action only done by things which have knowledge, inanimate objects do not have knowledge.
• suggests that there is something with knowledge that guides the action of all inanimate things GOD

Question 4

What is Paleys’ Teleological argument?

Answer 4

• Archbishop of Carlisle in the 19th Century
• He presented his argument in the book ‘Natural Theology’
• He has 2 arguments, one arguing that the universe is so complex it can fulfill its purpose, and the universe behaves according to the same order.

Question 5

What is Design Qua Purpose?

Answer 5

• This argument states that the world is so complex so it can fulfill its purpose
• the fact that it is both complex, and that this complexity leads to a purpose implies that there must be an intelligent being to design it.
• The analogy of a watch, example of an eye.

Question 6

What is Design Qua Regularity?

Answer 6

• This argues that the universe acts in accordance with certain rules
• These rules include the laws of physics and chemistry which guide in the same way in every situation.
• These laws operate in such a way which allows the world to exist tin such a way which it supports life.
• This shows there is a calculating being that controls the laws of the universe in such a way which supports life.