Teleological Argument Flashcards
What is the design qua regularity?
It looks at design in relation to order and regularity in the universe. Philosophers who support this argument believe that because there is order and regularity evident in the universe is evidence that there is a designer.
How does Aquinas use the design qua regularity argument ?
He identified that the way in which ‘natural bodies’ act in a regular fashion to accomplish their ends, provides the evidence for the existence of an intelligent being and concluded that this must be God.
What is the design qua purpose?
Theorises that the universe appears to fit together for some purpose. The universe is compared to a man-made machine in which a designer fits all the parts together for a specific function.
Explain Paleys argument and his analogy.
Idea is that if we were to come across a watch, we would conclude that all the parts fitted together for a purpose had not come into existence by chance. Paley uses evidence from astronomy and Newtons laws of motion and gravity to prove there is design in the universe.
What is the Anthropic Principle?
It says that the cosmos is constructed for the development of intelligent life, if there is a minute change then intelligent life wouldn’t exist. It denies any idea of coincidences. They think the best explanation is God being the designer.
Explain F.R Tennants view on the anthropic principle.
Tennant believes that as humans can appreciate art, music and their surroundings, that are not necessary to our survival that they must be for our own pleasure. Therefore this. means that these qualities would have been created by a designer (God) for humanity’s pleasure.
3 Strengths of the Teleological Argument
- The world and the universe has order, which is a mark of design.
- Even minor changes to the law of physics would result in a universe that did not even contain matter.
- Paley responds by arguing that just because we do not know the purpose does not mean that there is not a purpose.
3 weaknesses of the Teleological Argument
- David Hume pointed out that alongside the beauty, design and order of the universe there was ugliness, suffering and evil. Therefore why would God create an imperfect world.
- The universe is a living organism which changes and develops rather than a machine, shouldn’t be compared.
- Not everything has a purpose, therefore the purposeful design is disproven.
Quote from aquinas
“It is plain that they all achieve their end, not fortuitously but designed”
Quote from William paley
“We perceived that it’s several parts are framed and put together for a purpose”
Quote from F.R Tennant
“The world is saturated with beauty”
