Teleological argument Flashcards
Teleological argument
AKA the 5th way
Aquinas’ argument that through observing the order and purpose of nature that God must have designed it
Telos
End goal/purpose
Aquinas quote on argument
“Not fortuitously, but designedly”
The archer analogy
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.
A posteriori argument
Arguments which draw conclusions based on observation through experience
Natural theology
Drawing conclusions about the nature and activity of God by using reason and observing the world
Advantages of inductive reasoning
It is difficult to deny something which has been observed (ie purpose of nature), especially as these observations are likely to be universal
Inductive reasoning
Reasoning that aims to draw uncertain general conclusions based on specific observations or instances
Disadvantages of inductive reasoning
Only leads to a probable conclusion
Why might the teleological argument be a logical fallacy?
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
Why might evolution contradict the teleological argument?
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
Paley’s watchmaker analogy
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,
Issac Newton quote
“In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God’s existence”
Hume’s criticism of the watchmaker analogy
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
What does Hume say about chance?
The order within the world could be self-sustaining and could have come about by chance
Who’s idea does Hume support?
Darwin - the creatures around us have only suited to their purpose by chance
Why does Hume suggest that the teleological argument is a fallacy of composition?
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.
What does Dawkins say about the teleological argument?
Criticises the watch maker analogy because evolution shows how complexity and perfection can slowly progress over time
How does Paley respond to the criticism of chance?
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
Tennant’s anthropic principle
The universe seems particularly suited to being about and support human life - it is “suspicious” that the universe has “human friendly” laws
Hume’s evidential problem of evil criticism
We have evidence of evil in the world, so it’s not possible to infer the existence of a perfect God from the world.
Hick’s defence of Hume’s evidential problem of evil criticism
Soul-making theodicy attempts to explain the evil we see around us as something God allows so we can have soul-making.
Developing on Irenaeus.
Aquinas quote
“Not fortuitously, but designedly”
