Teleological argument

Question 1

Teleological argument

Answer 1

AKA the 5th way
Aquinas’ argument that through observing the order and purpose of nature that God must have designed it

Question 2

Telos

Answer 2

End goal/purpose

Question 3

Aquinas quote on argument

Answer 3

“Not fortuitously, but designedly”

Question 4

The archer analogy

Answer 4

if you saw an arrow flying towards a target, you would know that an archer must have aimed and fired it.

Just as we see nature having purpose, we assume that something/someone has designed this.

Question 5

A posteriori argument

Answer 5

Arguments which draw conclusions based on observation through experience

Question 6

Natural theology

Answer 6

Drawing conclusions about the nature and activity of God by using reason and observing the world

Question 7

Advantages of inductive reasoning

Answer 7

It is difficult to deny something which has been observed (ie purpose of nature), especially as these observations are likely to be universal

Question 8

Inductive reasoning

Answer 8

Reasoning that aims to draw uncertain general conclusions based on specific observations or instances

Question 9

Disadvantages of inductive reasoning

Answer 9

Only leads to a probable conclusion

Question 10

Why might the teleological argument be a logical fallacy?

Answer 10

By observing the order and purpose of nature Aquinas has concluded that there must be a designer - this is a logical fallacy, as this might not be true but if there is a designer, there is no proof that it is God

Question 11

Why might evolution contradict the teleological argument?

Answer 11

There is so much evidence of evolution for all types of species over 100s of years meaning it must be true as a scientific and genetic process

Question 12

Paley’s watchmaker analogy

Answer 12

If we came across a watch on the ground we are open to the possibility that it might have been there for a long period of time - but we would also conclude that each part of it has been carefully designed in order for the watch to work and fulfil its purpose.

Similarly to nature, due to its design and purpose we can assume there was a designer,

Question 13

Issac Newton quote

Answer 13

“In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God’s existence”

Question 14

Hume’s criticism of the watchmaker analogy

Answer 14

The analogy between a watch and the world is weak, examples of purpose in the world aren’t as obvious as they are in a watch

Question 15

What does Hume say about chance?

Answer 15

The order within the world could be self-sustaining and could have come about by chance

Question 16

Who’s idea does Hume support?

Answer 16

Darwin - the creatures around us have only suited to their purpose by chance

Question 17

Why does Hume suggest that the teleological argument is a fallacy of composition?

Answer 17

We can only observe the detail, purpose and telos of our part of the world. We can’t assume this is the same for the rest of the universe, which we don’t know about.

Question 18

What does Dawkins say about the teleological argument?

Answer 18

Criticises the watch maker analogy because evolution shows how complexity and perfection can slowly progress over time

Question 19

How does Paley respond to the criticism of chance?

Answer 19

The watchmaker could not throw all the parts of the watch in the air and expect them to fall perfectly together, making the watch work

Question 20

Tennant’s anthropic principle

Answer 20

The universe seems particularly suited to being about and support human life - it is “suspicious” that the universe has “human friendly” laws