Philosophy and ethics- The Teleological argument

Question 1

Define what is meant by the term “anthropic argument/principle”

Answer 1

Nature planning in advance for the needs of human beings

Question 2

Define what is meant by the term, “Qua”

Answer 2

A Latin word meaning, “As relating to”

Question 3

Define what is meant by the term, “Analogous”

Answer 3

A comparison of 2 or more things to show how they are similar

Question 4

Define what is meant by the term, “Natural Selection”

Answer 4

it is the principle by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved and the trait is passed onto the next generation (evolution) - Darwin

Question 5

Define what is meant by, “ Epicurean theory”

Answer 5

Given enough time, even in a random chaotic universe, order will still develop

Question 6

Define what is meant by the term, “Theodicy”

Answer 6

A justification of the righteousness of God, given the existence of evil

Question 7

Define what is meant by the term, “intelligent design”

Answer 7

The view that an intelligent cause accounts for certain features of the universe, supporters claim that it is a “scientific theory”

Question 8

Define what is meant by the term, “Anthropic principle”

Answer 8

Nature planning in advance for the needs of human beings

Question 9

Define what is meant by the term, “Aesthetic argument”

Answer 9

Human beings can appreciate beauty etc, none of which is vital to survive

Question 10

Define what is meant by the term, “Ockham’s razor”

Answer 10

The simplest argument tends to be the truth

Question 11

Define what is meant by the term, “Telos”

Answer 11

The end of some course of action

Question 12

Define what is meant by the term, “A priori”

Answer 12

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}

Question 13

Define what is meant by, “A prosteriori”

Answer 13

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}

Question 14

What is meant by the term, “Teleological”

Answer 14

What evidence do you have meaning that it has been designed?

Question 15

What is Aquinas’ Fifth Way?

Answer 15

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]

Question 16

What is the difference between Qua Regularity and Qua Purpose?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Explain Aquinas’ Analogy of the Archer

Answer 17

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

Question 18

How does Aquinas conclude the existence of God?

Answer 18

Aquinas concludes the existence of God by saying that everything has a purpose, therefore reaches an end (telos)

Question 19

Criticisms of the teleological argument- HUME

Answer 19

Hume was a Scottish Philosopher
Hume was an Empiricist (only relying on senses)

Question 20

What is Hume’s famous saying. hint: cabbage

Answer 20

“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

Question 21

What is premise 1 in Hume’s formation of the argument?

Answer 21

Premise 1= In the same way that a machine needs a designer, the world also needs a designer

Question 22

What is Premise 2 of Hume’s formation of the argument?

Answer 22

Premise 2= A great design necessarily implies greatness in the designer

Question 23

What is Premise 3 of Hume’s formation of the argument?

Answer 23

Premise 3= There is clearly great design in the world

Question 24

What is the conclusion of Hume’s formation of the argument?

Answer 24

Conclusion= There must be a great designer of the world

Question 25

Richard Dawkins - illusion of design

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What is meant by illusion of Design? (Richard Dawkins)

Answer 26

We are tricked into believing that the universe is designed

Question 27

Different religious reactions to the scientific theories - LIBERAL CHRISTIANS

Answer 27

• 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

Question 28

Different religious reactions to the scientific theories - HUMANISTS

Answer 28

• 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

Question 29

Different religious reactions to the scientific theories - LITERAL CHRISTIANS

Answer 29

• Belive that their Holy text (Bible or Quaran) should be understood word for word
• “All scripture is God breathed” -> 2 Timothy 3:16

Question 30

What did F.R. Tennant say about evolution?

Answer 30

He said that evolution has a purpose and is created and guided by an intelligent God

Question 31

What are the 3 types of natural evidence existing in the world that support that there is an intelligent designer?

Answer 31

• 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

Question 32

What is the Anthropic principle? [FR TENNANT]

Answer 32

• The argument that the natural laws of the universe have been fine tuned to allow human life to exist

Question 33

What did F.R Tennant argue?

Answer 33

• That the conditions of the universe are so finely tuned that it cannot be contributed to chance

Question 34

What is the central premise of the argument from Fine - tuning?

Answer 34

Because the universe has specific conditions that allow life to exist, it was suggested that it was intentional, not by chance