Telelogical Theory Flashcards
Who came up with the teleological theory
Aquinas
Why does teleogy mean
The final/end
What is a teleological argument t
A philosophical proof derviver from the apparent evidence of purposeful design in the world b
What is the argument that aquinas creates
Aquinas fifth way
The universe has order purpose and reason
The complexity of the universe shows evidence of design
Such design implies a designer
The designer of the universe is god
What is the concept of convergence
The idea is that there is evidence within nature of all things being directed towards and end purpose. Aquinas looked ast the orbit of he natural bodies for example.
They do not move randomly. But instead orbit in a regular and organise matter. The whole universe obeys the laws of nature and organise manners
This suggests that there is a govern in intelligence that overseas the whole and ensures that each thing behaves as it should
God
What is the archer and arrow anaology
Aquinas support his theory by using the example of an arrow and archer
An arrow doesn’t fly into its target by accident but only because it is directed by a skilled archer. The arrow cannot fly by itself and it will not hit anything much less than that target unless there is someone to aim and the let the arrow loose.
What is another way of putting the teleological argument
Everything in the natural world follows natural law even if they posses no intelligence
By following these laws they fullfill some purpose or end goal
They couldn’t do this by themselves as they lack knowledge so it must be directed by an intelligent being (god)
What is the final cause
Aristotle examines the purpose of an object, the reason it exists
This is the most important cause
Teleos means end
The final cause or purpose is what Ives an object significant
Aristotle uses the idea of a final cause or teleos when he discussed goodness and the right way to behave - so say something is good when it’s fulfilled its purpose - so anaxe is good when it cuts well etc so a person is good if it does wat its meant to
Who is William payley
English philosopher
Authors of natural theology
He didnt know about evolution or big band theory
He loved science
He was a priest
He wanted to ebolish space trade
What is natural theology (William Paley)
Is the process of deriving knowledge of god from the use of natural human reason. Any appeal to genera evidenence, the world and our understanding in theology is natural theology
What is revealed theology
Is the process of deriving knowledge of god from contact with good himself. This could take the form of m of a vision of god or discerning god through his holy scripture
What is design qua purpose
He argues that everything in the world has a purpose jut like the watch had a purpose to tell the time
He uses the example of the human eye
The eye has lost of intricate parts which will work tighter to allow us to see
Paley believed that the eye works because it has an intelligent designer who designed the purpose of giving us sight
God
What is deign qua regularity
Paley also argued foe design qua regularity comparing evidence from netons law of motion nd gravity, by looking at the solar system and the obedience of the planets to control natural laws he concluded that the universe in its entirinty imposes upon it by an intelligent being
God
What is ten eats Anthropic and aesthetic argument
The universe was made specifically designed for human intelligent
What is the anthropic principle
The argument states that the universe was designed for the purpose of bringing about intelligent human life. The method by which intelligence life came here was no accident or chance occurnace. The process of the beginning of existence of matter and the process of evolution are both evidence of the method by which a designer worked to bring human life into existence. Since the universe nd everything in its regular and order rather than random and chaotic, it is reasonable to suggest it is the result of intelligence
He provided three points of supporting evidence
-the universe can be understood rationally
- the world contains all we need for surivival
- evolution via natural selection led to existence of beings capable of rationally and survival