Teleological Argument Flashcards

1
Q

Teleological argument is also known as?

A

Design argument

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Who came up with it?

A

Thomas Aquinas

In summa theologica the 5th way

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What type of argument is it?

A

A posteriori

Inductive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is aquinas’ theory?

A

Natural bodies like the solar system and eco systems all fit well together to achieve their purpose (telos)
Everything has a purpose but it can’t direct itself
Needs a designer/ creator -god

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What analogy did aquinas use?

A

The archer
And archer directs the arrow towards its target, it can’t reach the target on its own
God is like the archer directing everything towards its purpose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Who else argued for a designer of the universe?

A

William paley

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What was paleys first point

A

Design qua regularity

Parts of the universe are organised in a way to achieve their function
The nitrogen cycle, parts of the eye

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Paleys second point

A

Design qua purpose

Things in the universe have a specific purpose
Eye for sight

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What analogy did paley use?

A

The watch

If you came across a pocket watch you’d see the parts are ordered and fit together for the purpose of telling the time
Must be designed, can’t be explained without the explanation of a watchmaker
Same as the universe with god

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Who criticised the design argument?

A

David Hume

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What were hume’s criticisms?

A

We weren’t there- no empirical evidence, why god?
Analogies are weak- can’t use a mechanical watch to explain the natural universe
Epicurean hypothesis- given finite resources and infinite time you will get order from chaos. Monkeys and typewriters and Shakespeare
He was a pre runner for natural selection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What scientific objections are there?

A

Big Bang theory

Darwin’s theory of evolution through natural selection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What’s the anthropic principle?

A

The idea that conditions are just perfect on earth for human survival. Any tiny adjustment in the entirety of the solar system would mean we couldn’t exist. This indicates the work of an intelligent designer. Not necessarily god.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Who thought of the anthropic principle?

A

FR Tennant in the 1930s

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly