teleological argument

Question 1

what is the teleological argument

Answer 1

an inductive argument that suggests that the complexity, order and purpose seen in the universe is evidence of the presence of an intelligent designer

Question 2

Swinburne’s argument

Answer 2

the exact values of physical constants (e.g. force of gravity) appear “fine-tuned” to an extraordinary degree as even slight changes would cause the universe to be inhabitable, therefore proving that it’s “much more likely if there is a God than if there is not” (“The Existence of God”).
-the order of the universe isn’t a single isolated feature but a consistent framework that allows scientist to understand the way the universe works.
- approaches teleological argument from principle of Ockham’s Razor-> where a phenomenon has multiple competing explanations, the simplest one should be chosen

Question 3

Counter to Swinburne

Answer 3

David Hume – we try to prove there’s purpose and order in the natural world due to our tendency to find meaning in patterns. -> suggests the fine-tuning in our universe may be a result of being in a universe where conditions happen to support life and are not intentional
- just bc an explanation is simple doesn’t mean it is correct could just be an assumption not evidence

Question 4

Thomas Aquinas

Answer 4

Fifth way- natural objects achieve their end purpose by being “directed” by something intelligent which he suggests to be God. It is illogical to argue that these natural entities directed themselves and moved randomly as they lack consciousness (Summa Theologica).
- compares this to an archer aiming an arrow- the arrow can’t reach the target without the direction of the archer

Question 5

Counter to Thomas Aquinas

Answer 5

-Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural selection can explain the goal-directed behaviour.
-For example, plants grow fruit not because they have been directed to but because of the biological and genetic processes created by evolution

Question 6

Tennant

Answer 6

-Anthropic Principle- universe is not only orderly and intricate to support human life and consciousness but also for us to experience the beauty of it, such as the complex patterns in nature, which is difficult to explain by evolution and science only.
- science doesn’t explain why evolution occured-> so anthro principle is consistent with evolution as evolution shows how unlikely life occured however perfect condition for human life show God was involved in guiding this creation of the world.
-continues by arguing that the beauty experienced in the universe suggests the existence of something transcendent and not just by chance.

Question 7

Counter to Tennant

Answer 7

-Richard Dawkins suggests that our appreciation for the beauty of the universe could have evolved as it provides indirect benefits for human survival and reproduction.
-For example, this appreciation helped human find resources like water and fertile land

Question 8

‘God of the gaps’ argument

Answer 8

The gaps in scientific knowledge are only able to be explained with reference to God, proving God’s existence

Question 9

Flaw of ‘God of the gaps’ argument

Answer 9

-gaps in scientific knowledge doesn’t logically prove the existence of God but shows information or knowledge that hasn’t yet been discovered.
-No evidence that these gaps won’t be filled in the future

Question 10

Anthropic principle

Answer 10

idea that world has been designed mainly for human life. If some aspects of the universe had been different, life would have been impossible

Question 11

John Stuart Mill

Answer 11

God must not be omnipotent to have allowed so much suffering or willingly created a world in which humans suffer. Since the universe is flawed and consists of evil one can only infer the universe has a flawed creator

Question 12

some evidence to back up Mill’s criticism

Answer 12

-things that exist but have no purpose e.g. useless DNA
- Natural evil e.g. genetic diseases

Question 13

Hume criticism

Answer 13

impossible to logically deduce a cause from effect. Since humans have no experience of world-creating and knowledge is created through experience, there is no evidence that proves the universe is an effect of God
- Many things present in the universe have been proven by science to be formed by chance-> appearance of order+ design may be result of chance

Question 14

Counter to Hume’s criticism

Answer 14

Theist view- Swinburne (above)
-Science often forms hypotheses without direct experience e.g. scientific models to predict whether a new medicine might be successful
so God’s existence might be possible through his influence+ presence in the world.

Question 15

Paley’s argument

Answer 15

• just bc human being have limited knowledge doesn’t mean they can’t come up with valid conclusions abt the existence of a designer
• Paley’s Analogy of a watchmaker, just like a watch has intricate parts working together for a specific purpose that were intentionally designed by a watchmaker, the universe must also have a creator due to it’s complexity
• argues watch can give no knowledge of nature of designer- only that there is a designer

Question 16

Counter of Paley

Answer 16

• ppl are unable to know abt Godly design-> human knowledge is limited and imperfect so unable to understand God
• impossible to link the order in the world to a designer-> watch+ universe aren’t logically connected. Only known watch is created from experience of human being creating things. Human being have no experience of world creating.