The Design Argument Flashcards
What type of Argument is the Design Argument?
Inductive and a posteriori.
What three things did Paley observe about the world?
Complexity, regularity and purpose.
What can we infer from objects that show clear evidence that they were designed because they exhibit complexity and regularity?
That they were made for a purpose.
What two objects does Paley use in his analogy when crossing a heath?
A stone and a watch.
What other analogies does Paley give?
The eye, fish, birds and heavenly bodies.
What was Hume’s first criticism?
A lesser being could have designed the universe.
What was Hume’s second criticism?
The existence of evil and imperfection in the world does indeed suggest a limited designer.
What was Hume’s third criticism?
Analogies between the way the universe works and the way machines work are unsound.
What is Hume’s fourth criticism?
To make an analogy between the designers of human machines and the designer of the universe is just anthropomorphism.
What is Hume’s fifth criticism?
The universe could have developed into a comparatively ordered state simply by chance.
What is the first strength of the argument?
Paley may be right to argue that the designer is the all-powerful Christian God, because this is the simplest answer.
What is the second strength of the argument?
Paley argued that evil may be unavoidable in order for God to bring about good.
What is the third strength of the argument?
Evolution does not destroy the argument because evolution does not explain itself, and evolution is compatible with the belief in God anyway.
What us the fourth strength of the argument?
Paley does not draw the conclusion that the designer is metaphysical and transcendent.
What is the fifth strength of the argument?
Paley’s argument that ‘nature shows intention’ becomes stronger when supported by the Anthropic Principle
What is the sixth strength of the argument?
One strong point about Paley’s argument is its simplicity - it is a simple inductive argument.
What is the first status as a ‘proof’?
It can mean that there is sufficient evidence for the truth of a proposition.
What is the second status as a ‘proof’?
Proof can be inductive.
What is the third status as a ‘proof’?
Inductive arguments can amount to ‘proofs’ when all the evidence points to the truth of the conclusion.
What is the fourth status as a ‘proof’?
Paley’s argument is inductive, but its evidence does not amount to scientific proof.
What is the fifth status as a ‘proof’?
Paley’s inductive argument could well be the best explanation of the order wee see in the universe.
What is the sixth status as a ‘proof’?
For some individuals who believe in God, Paley’s argument could not be a proof, because proof could only come through religious experiences.
What is the seventh status as a ‘proof’?
Paley’s inductive argument can never have the status of a deductive argument.
What is the first value for religious faith?
It supports faith by reasoning.
