the design argument Flashcards
What is the design argument?
A posteriori, inductive
What is meant by a posteriori?
Based on sense experience
What is meant by inductive?
Using premises to supply strong evidence of the truth
What did Paley observe about the world?
It’s complex, regular + has a purpose
What’s the summary of Paley’s inductive argument?
- Some objects show clear signs they were designed (complex + regular)
- The universe is complex + regular so it has a purpose
- So it’s likely the universe was designed
What is Aquinas’ 5th way?
- The universe has evidence of design
- Design implies designer
- God is the designer
- God exists
What would the intricate complexity of the universe confirm?
God’s attributes of omnipotence + omnibenevolence
Why did Aquinas use analogy?
So God isn’t anthropomorphised
What is Aquinas’ archer/arrow analogy?
Archer = God; intelligent + gives the arrow direction + purpose
Arrow = Humanity; we’re non-intelligent + can’t reach telos alone so we need God’s direction
What is Paley’s analogical design argument?
- Watch = complex w function + works tog for a purpose
- Watch must’ve been designed by watchmaker
- The universe has parts that work tog for a function
- Universe must’ve been designed by universe maker
- Universe is more complex than watch so designer is greater
- Designer = God
What’s an inference?
Conclusion reached through evidence + reasoning
What’s an analogy?
Inference where information/meaning is transferred from one subject to another
Which scholar was connected to the Anthropic Principle?
FR Tennant
What does the Anthropic Principle say about boundary conditions?
There are 30+ boundary conditions that have to be ‘fine tuned’ for an ordered universe containing intelligent life to develop
Give 3 examples of fine tuned boundary conditions
- Distance from the sun
- Force of gravity
- Expansion rate of Big Bang
All fine tuned so we don’t burn, float etc
What does John Polkinghorne say about empirical data?
Empirical data tells us the universe is so well designed that it can’t just be a coincidence - best explanation is God
What are 3 of Hume’s criticisms?
What do these criticisms say about Paley?
- Inductive leap: leap from premise to conclusion
- Why not a team of Gods?
- Why the God of classical theism Paley makes an assumption
What are 2 other criticisms from Hume?
- Can’t use mechanical analogies for a natural world
- There’s also evidence of poor/bad designer (problem of evil)
When were Hume’s criticisms written?
Written before Paley’s argument; so Paley’s mistake was not reading Hume’s criticisms
Give 2 strengths of the design argument
- Value for scripture (Bible) - doesn’t anthropomorphise God
- Analogy helps more people understand
- Christian God is simplest explanation
What is the strength of the design argument in regards to evil?
Evil may be unavoidable for God to bring about good (soul making)
What is a strength of the design argument in regards to the Anthropic Principle?
Paley’s ‘nature shows intention’ is supported by the Anthropic Principle
What are some weaknesses of the design argument?
- Inductive leap
- Why God of classical theism?
- Could be chance
- Natural selection + evolution
What point from John Paul II shows that the design argument has value for religious faith?
John Paul II said faith + reason support each other
Aquinas + Paley had preexisting faith + now reason that supports it
What are the other 2 points for the design argument having value for religious faith?
- Polkinghorne; faith is motivated belief, based on reason
- Consistent w scripture (doesn’t anthropomorphise God)
What are the 2 points that show the design argument has no value for religious faith?
- Pascal: God can never be ‘proven’; faith is through the heart - the whole point is lack of knowledge (fideism)
- The problem of evil
What is fideism?
The view that religion is a matter of pure faith; rational arguments have no role
