Teleological Argument

Question 1

What is the teleological argument?

Answer 1

The argument for the existence of god from the evidence or order and design in nature

Question 2

What does tennant argue about the existence of beauty?

Answer 2

He argues that the Darwinian theory can only be due to god but ‘our scientific knowledge brings us no closer to understanding the beauty of music’

Question 3

What does Swinburne claim about science?

Answer 3

That it cannot explain the highest level laws at all

Question 4

How does Aquinas defend the teleological argument?

Answer 4

He uses the arrow analogy to illustrate that the arrow is unintelligent and so only reaches it’s target through the intelligence of the archer. In the same ways, the universe is unintelligent and only reaches its purpose thanks to the intelligent designer: God.

Question 5

How does Swinburne defend the teleological argument?

Answer 5

He claims that the universe is beautiful and provides everything, which could only be due to a designer

Question 6

How do Ward and Tennant defend the teleological argument?

Answer 6

The conditions for life are not pure chances, so there must be a designer

Question 7

How does Dawkins criticise the teleological argument?

Answer 7

He says that natural selection in evolution self designs in random adaptations- not 1 designer

Question 8

How does Mill criticise the teleological argument?

Answer 8

There is evil in the world and thus it can’t be designed by a loving God

Question 9

How does Kant criticise the teleological argument?

Answer 9

He says that the universe is not ordered and that the mind only imposes order