Teleological argument Flashcards
Explain the design argument from analogy (Hume)
P1: Observe the universe and you will see that it consists of parts, working together towards an end goal with incredible accuracy
P2: In this way, the universe resembles a great machine, as machines also consist of parts, working together towards an end with incredible accuracy
P3: Like effects have like causes
P4: Machines are caused by human designers possessing thought, wisdom and intelligence
C1: Therefore, the universe must have been caused by a designer of nature possessing thought, wisdom and intelligence that are proportional to the grandeur of the universe
C2: Therefore, God exists
Explain Paley’s design argument from spatial order/purpose
P1: A watch has certain complex features of spatial order and purpose (as it consists of parts, each of which has a function, and every part works together for a specific purpose)
P2: Anything which exhibits these features of spatial order and purpose must have been designed
C1: Therefore, the watch has been designed by a designer
P3: The universe possesses features of spatial order and purpose, except on a far more wondrous scale
C2: Therefore, the universe has been designed by a wondrous designer
C3: God is the designer, and therefore God exists
Explain Swinburne’s argument from temporal order
P1: The universe as a whole contains features of temporal order/regularities of succession
P2: There are two possible hypothesis: (H1) temporal order has a scientific explanation or (2) temporal order has a personal explanation
P3: (H1) fails as science can only explain laws of nature in terms of other laws of nature, and so cannot give a complete explanation of temporal order
P4: (H2) can explain temporal order - it is similar to regularities of succession produced by human agents (e.g. explaining the singing of a song in terms of the singer’s intentions) and so, by analogy are also produced by a rational agency
P5: The agency in question would have to be of immense power and intelligence (i.e. God)
C: Therefore, God exists
Explain Hume’s objections to the design argument from analogy
Hume, as an empiricist, is critical of the design argument from analogy. Firstly, he points out that the analogy is weak as there are very few similarities between a universe and a machine, and the argument is based on inferring from a very small part of the universe (what we are able to observe) to the universe as a whole. Furthermore, there are more convincing counter-analogies, such as Hume’s suggestion that the universe is more like a plant than a machine (the result of ‘generation and vegetation’). This is damaging to the design argument from analogy as undermining the strength of the analogy is a critical attack on the entire argument.
Explain the problem of spatial disorder
An objection to Paley’s design argument is Hume’s issue of spatial disorder in the universe. He reflects on two key examples to illustrate this. Firstly, Hume refers to the vast areas of the universe in which there is no apparent design, which are uninhabitable and purposeless. According to Hume, this means that Paley’ argument fails as it shows that design is not widespread in the universe. This could also show that, if the majority of the universe seems void of design, our tiny earth exhibits apparent design by coincidence. Furthermore, Hume argues that flaws in the world further disprove the existence of a designer. For example, tectonic plates seem to be a major design flaw as they cause tsunamis and earthquakes, which result in intense dysteleological suffering.
Explain Hume’s argument that the design argument fails as it is an argument from a unique case
P1: Design arguments make the inference that this universe and its properties were caused by a designer
P2: We can only make the inference that ‘X caused Y’ if we have repeatedly observed event X causing event Y
P3: We have only observed one universe, making it a unique case. Furthermore, we have not observed the origins of any universe at all.
C1: Therefore, we cannot make any inference about the cause of this universe
C2: Design arguments fail as they are based on an invalid inference
Explain the issue for the design argument that God may not be the best or only explanation
Design arguments conclude that the best explanation for the appearance of design in this universe of the existence of a designer, but this can be called into question. Firstly, Hume proposed that apparent design may be due to random (known as the ‘Epicurean hypothesis’) or natural processes, dismissing the need for there to be a designer. Furthermore, Kant argued that the appearance of design may be explained by a ‘worldly architect’, a designer that used the materials available to them rather than creating the universe themselves. Finally, natural selection and evolution accounts for apparent design in the natural world (e.g. the complexity of the eye), discrediting Paley’s theory entirely.
Explain the argument that the appearance of design may be explained by natural or random processes
Design arguments conclude that the best explanation for the appearance of design in this universe of the existence of a designer, but this can be called into question. Hume proposed that the appearance of design may be due to ‘generation or vegetation’ (natural processes). Additionally, he developed the Epicurean hypothesis, which accounts for apparent design in the universe without reference to God. This argument suggests that what we perceive as design is merely the result of a random system, thus dismissing the need for a designer.
Explain the argument that the existence of design may be explained by a ‘worldly architect’
Design arguments conclude that the best explanation for the appearance of design in this universe of the existence of a designer, but this can be called into question. Immanuel Kant argued that, when we observe human artefacts, we may conclude that they were designed. However, designers use the materials available to them (such as glass, metal, leather etc…) - crucially, they do not create the materials themselves. From this, Kant concludes that the most that the design argument can prove is the existence of a ‘worldly designer’, but not a creator of the world.
Explain the argument that the appearance of design may be explained by evolution
Design arguments conclude that the best explanation for the appearance of design in this universe of the existence of a designer, but this can be called into question. Paley’s argument in particular focuses on observations of intricate details of plants and animals. However, as the theory of evolution has emerged, this apparent design can be explained by the process of natural selection. For example, in Victorian London, moths were originally white, but evolved to be much darker to fit in with the smog in the atmosphere. Therefore, Paley’s argument is discredited as evolution explains apparent design without any need for a designer.
