Skeleton Learning Deck - Against Design Argument Flashcards
What is Richard Dawkins’ opposition
the universe has evolved as a series of chances, and not as a result of an intelligent designer. (Could be used to oppose the purpose argument of paley as Dawkins suggests that the universe doesn’t show its purpose, no foresight and the blind watchmaker)
What is Charles Darwin’s opposition
Charles Darwin - life developed in a series of evolutionary steps, not by an intelligent designer, and things change and adapt to their environment, the world was not designed for them.
However could be opposed by Steven Hawking - Evolution could be the mechanism through which gods creation takes place - that sure would be intelligent design
What is David Hume’s opposition - one of many but best for my plan
the design argument is flawed as we lack the certain knowledge and understanding we would need to understand the design of the world, and to be able to compare it to any other designed thing with purpose. The universe is unique and can’t be compared to anything else, and when we attempt to compare the universe to a human design, with purpose, we risk anthropomorphism, as we compare an intelligent designer, in the form of God, with humans
What is Mill’s Evil and suffering opposition?
‘If the maker of the world can do all that he will, he wills misery there’s no escaping that’ (if God is all powerful as he would have to be to create the world and the universe then he has the power to prevent suffering, but chooses not to)
Bad God or a God who didn’t design argument
What is Ayers objection to the design argument?
Limited experience means we can’t tell the difference between a designed universe and a non designed one - as we’ve only experienced one universe
What is Ayers objection to the design argument?
Limited experience means we can’t tell the difference between a designed universe and a non designed one - as we’ve only experienced one universe
