Teleological argument Flashcards
What does the teleological argument use as the basis for its argument?
The evidence of the existing and contingent universe that suggests the universe exhibits both order and regularity and purpose which requires an explanation of design
What does a designed universe require
A designer
Who is this designer?
God
Who used the analogy of an archer?
Aquinas
What was the purpose of the archer analogy?
To illustrate the not of guiding intelligence and governance
What is the archer analogy?
The archer (intelligence) directs and governs the arrow (object without intelligence) towards its end purpose (the target)
How does this relate to God’s existence?
Natural laws have no intelligence but display order and regularity that are directed towards an end purpose; this also requires the explanation of intelligent guidance and governance, this intelligent being must be God
Who used the analogy of a pocket watch?
William Paley
What was the purpose of the pocket watch analogy?
Pocket watches are comlex and therefore it illustrates he notion of purposeful design
What is the pocket watch analogy?
A watch found on a heath is not a product of nature nor chance because the parts are assembled intricately to achieve the purpose of telling time therefore, the watch must have a watchmaker to make it do what it does
How does the pocket watch analogy relate to God?
Paley compared a watch to the universe in terms of complex order, regularity and purpose and concluded that it too must have a universe-maker or a designer which is God
What were Tennant’s 2 teleological arguments?
The Anthropic argument and Aesthetic argument
What is the Anthropic argument?
For life on earth to flourish nature provides in advance for such needs; however, the precise conditions for this are so immensely complex and highly improbable with only an ultimate intelligence, such as God as a viable explanation
What is the aesthetic argument?
Since human beings appreciate beauty, literature, music and art, which have no survival value, this suggests there is no naturalistic explanation for such values and therefore provides clear evidence for God
‘Whatever lacks knowledge cannot move towards an end…
…unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence.’ (Thomas Aquinas)
