Philosophy and ethics- The Teleological argument Flashcards
Define what is meant by the term “anthropic argument/principle”
Nature planning in advance for the needs of human beings
Define what is meant by the term, “Qua”
A Latin word meaning, “As relating to”
Define what is meant by the term, “Analogous”
A comparison of 2 or more things to show how they are similar
Define what is meant by the term, “Natural Selection”
it is the principle by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved and the trait is passed onto the next generation (evolution) - Darwin
Define what is meant by, “ Epicurean theory”
Given enough time, even in a random chaotic universe, order will still develop
Define what is meant by the term, “Theodicy”
A justification of the righteousness of God, given the existence of evil
Define what is meant by the term, “intelligent design”
The view that an intelligent cause accounts for certain features of the universe, supporters claim that it is a “scientific theory”
Define what is meant by the term, “Anthropic principle”
Nature planning in advance for the needs of human beings
Define what is meant by the term, “Aesthetic argument”
Human beings can appreciate beauty etc, none of which is vital to survive
Define what is meant by the term, “Ockham’s razor”
The simplest argument tends to be the truth
Define what is meant by the term, “Telos”
The end of some course of action
Define what is meant by the term, “A priori”
Philosophical term for an argument which starts from a set of premises and deduces conclusions based on them. If the premises are right, the conclusion cannot be challenged. {LOGIC}
Define what is meant by, “A prosteriori”
Philosophical term for a argument in which a conclusion is reached based on evidence that has been observed. The argument is only as convincing as the evidence. {OBSERVATION}
What is meant by the term, “Teleological”
What evidence do you have meaning that it has been designed?
What is Aquinas’ Fifth Way?
Aquinas observes a Posteriori that things move in accordance to pre-existing law towards their purposes
he argues that all things have a pre existing purpose towards which they are directed
-Argues that non intelligent things must be guided by an intelligent being [GOD]
What is the difference between Qua Regularity and Qua Purpose?
Qua regularity- the order and regularity of the universe is proof of a designer
Qua purpose- Parts of the universe appear to work for a specific purpose
Explain Aquinas’ Analogy of the Archer
Just as an archer directs an arrow to its target, non-intelligent things in nature cannot achieve their purpose without guidance. This suggests an intelligent being [GOD] directs everything in the natural world toward its proper end
How does Aquinas conclude the existence of God?
Aquinas concludes the existence of God by saying that everything has a purpose, therefore reaches an end (telos)
Criticisms of the teleological argument- HUME
Hume was a Scottish Philosopher
Hume was an Empiricist (only relying on senses)
What is Hume’s famous saying. hint: cabbage
“more like a cabbage then a machine”
- Hume is saying that you cannot compare a machine to the universe as they are not compatible
- A cabbage would make more sense as it is natural
What is premise 1 in Hume’s formation of the argument?
Premise 1= In the same way that a machine needs a designer, the world also needs a designer
What is Premise 2 of Hume’s formation of the argument?
Premise 2= A great design necessarily implies greatness in the designer
What is Premise 3 of Hume’s formation of the argument?
Premise 3= There is clearly great design in the world
What is the conclusion of Hume’s formation of the argument?
Conclusion= There must be a great designer of the world
Richard Dawkins - illusion of design
Richard Dawkins is an atheist
- supports Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural selection
- the world simply appears to have been designed
- raises the question,: who designed the designer?
- evolution needs no help from God and is the best explanation of how life came about
What is meant by illusion of Design? (Richard Dawkins)
We are tricked into believing that the universe is designed
Different religious reactions to the scientific theories - LIBERAL CHRISTIANS
- accept the idea that science can teach us things that the writers of the Bible had no understanding of
- have no problem in accepting the Big Bang Theory
- believe that people should be free to understand the Holy books
- Believe in Theistic guided evolution
Different religious reactions to the scientific theories - HUMANISTS
- Believe we can understand the world through science
- Believe that religious explanations of the world are unreliable
-There are no good reasons for believing in the existence of God - Plenty of evidence that suggests that the world was formed by itself
Different religious reactions to the scientific theories - LITERAL CHRISTIANS
- Belive that their Holy text (Bible or Quaran) should be understood word for word
- “All scripture is God breathed” -> 2 Timothy 3:16
What did F.R. Tennant say about evolution?
He said that evolution has a purpose and is created and guided by an intelligent God
What are the 3 types of natural evidence existing in the world that support that there is an intelligent designer?
- The fact that the world can be analysed in a rational way
- The way in which the inorganic world has provided the basic necessities required to sustain life. e.g. trees, oxygen
- the progress of evolution towards the emergence of intelligent human life
What is the Anthropic principle? [FR TENNANT]
- The argument that the natural laws of the universe have been fine tuned to allow human life to exist
What did F.R Tennant argue?
- That the conditions of the universe are so finely tuned that it cannot be contributed to chance
What is the central premise of the argument from Fine - tuning?
Because the universe has specific conditions that allow life to exist, it was suggested that it was intentional, not by chance
