Teleological argument

Question 1

Teleological definition

Answer 1

• Teleological means somethings end point or purpose.
• The teleological argument looks at the purpose of something and from that reasons that God must exist.
• Also known as the design argument.

Question 2

Aquinas fifth way

Answer 2

• Aquinas has five ways of proving that God exists and the teleological argument is the fifth way.
• He focuses on how we must achieve our purpose and on how it must be due to God.

Question 3

Aquinas fifth way illustration

Answer 3

An arrow is needed to be guided by an archer to reach its target, in the same way a human needs God to guide them.

Question 4

William Paley

Answer 4

• Observed that complex objects work with regularity and that they seem to have been deliberately put together with a purpose.
• The world also works with regularity (such as the seasons) and purpose (such as the eye).
• All this points to there being a designer which is God.

Question 5

Paley watch analogy

Answer 5

Imagine walking and coming across a rock and a watch. The rocks origin could be explained by natural causes, but the watch’s origin would have to be explained by a watchmaker who designed it with the purpose of it having a time, not a natural explanation. This, for Paley, proves that there must be creator of the universe which is God as the world is far more complex than a watch so must have been put together by a designer.

Question 6

Evolution argument

Answer 6

1. Darwins theory of evolution could assert that natural selection and random mutation could account for the apparent design in the universe.
2. However, Peter Vardy argues Darwin’s argument is not conclusive as it is based upon probability.

Question 7

Epicures

Answer 7

Epicures argued that the world was infinitely big so Hume argues if he is correct then eventually all the atoms in the universe would arrange themselves into a stable design.

Question 8

Hume perfect God

Answer 8

1. Hume argues that an a posteriori view of the world can’t lead to there being a perfect God because the world is so imperfect.
2. However, Paley responds by saying even a broken watch must have a designer.
3. However, Hume is more persuasive than Paley because it is impossible for us to see how the imperfections in this world are compatible with an imperfect God.

Question 9

Hume effect

Answer 9

1. Hume criticises Paley’s watch analogy as just because 2 things appear to have the same effect it doesn’t mean they have the same cause. For example, the smoke produced by fire and dry ice seem similar but have 2 very different causes.
2. However, this is only criticising the analogy whereas Paley’s argument is saying that the world is too complex to have just happened by chance. This could fulfil the principle of Ockham’s razor as this seems more probable than chance.

Question 10

Hume design

Answer 10

1. Hume argues that even if there is evidence of design in the universe it doesn’t point to the Christian God.
2. However, it seems more likely that one God is responsible for everything rather than there being multiple Gods.