Skeleton Learning Deck - for design Argument Flashcards
What is a posteriori argument based on?
empirical evidence, which would be suggested by Kant to be a good way to evaluate the universe due to its empirical nature
What is the first part of the argument?
The first part of the argument is analogical, drawing an analogy between the world or its parts - and objects of human design
Give paley’s watch as an example, and a shallow explanation
What is the second part of the argument?
The second part is inductive, and leads us to the conclusion through facts, as opposed to stating the conclusion then proving it
Beneficial order, as suggested by aquinas is what?
There are things in the universe that work towards an end or purpose,
this beneficial order cannot happen by chance,
objects lack the intelligence to establish beneficial order themselves, and work towards an end or goal,
so they must be directed by something that has such intelligence, and the power to do so
= God
Suggest a philosopher and point that can be used to back up the claim that the universe has been designed beneficially, and is made in such a way as to be suitable for human life
Richard Swinburne & the anthropic principle
What is the anthropic principle?
the universe provides what is necessary for life, and fits perfectly for the development of humans, which is what would be expected of a loving creator such as God. God is the best explanation because of the providential nature of the universe, as everything we need is provided, as would be so with a nurturing, loving God. The idea that the universe was created for human life in this fashion is called the anthropic principle
Use Swinburne as a philosopher - a providential world is consistent with the nature of a loving God
Suggest a philosopher and point that can be used to suggest that the world has purpose
St Thomas aquinas and beneficial order
Discuss the appearance of the world, and why it lends itself to belief in an intelligent designer
F.R tenant suggests that the existence of an intelligence designer using the Aesthetic principle, suggesting that evidence for an intelligent designer is shown in not just the order of the universe, but in its beauty, shown both in nature and in art and music. The universe is more than just orderly, it has natural beauty beyond that which it needs to live.
What is Richard Dawkins’ (God forbid) opposition to the design argument
the universe has evolved as a series of chances, and not as a result of an intelligent designer.
What is Charles Darwin’s opposition to the design argument?
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
How can darwin’s point be opposed
Evolution is cohesive with the idea of an intelligent designer, an intelligent designer would create things that could change to become better and survive, that is intelligence in design
What are David Hume’s most notable oppositions?
David Hume would suggest that 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 anthromorphisim, as we compare an intellegent designer, in the form of God, with humans
The design argument is what kind of argument?
The design argument is a Posteriori argument, An argument based on the evidence of our observation of the world.
What is the other argument (besides F.R Tennant) for design from the beauty in the universe?
John polkinghorne suggests in a similar fashion that the beauty of natural laws suggests that they did not just happen by chance, but were created by an intelligent designer. Polkinghorne also believes that God is the ‘total explanation’ for design in the universe
