The Design Argument Flashcards
what does the design argument attempt to do?
prove the existence of God by reference to the process of creation
The design argument is one based on cause and effect, give one example of causes and effects in the world, which could only have been caused by an intelligent designer
cause= phenomena within the universe that appear to be designed effect= perfectly adapted creations which fulfil their function
An analogy can be drawn between the works of humans design and the works of nature, (which suggest the same cause and effect), why is this?
design by humans also leads to a function or purpose and the works of nature are far greater than the works of humanity- therefore an infinitely greater designer must exist who created the world
who wrote “i am not postulating a “God of the gaps”, a god merely to explain the things which science has not yet explained”
Richard Swinburne
Is the design argument a posteriori or a priori
a posteriori
what does a posteriori mean?
uses empirical evidence from observation of the world
world seems perfectly designed to fulfil a function
what is an analogical argument?
argument based on similarities
what does inductive mean?
an argument based on premises and conclusions
e.g. the world shows order therefore it must have a designer
what is the first form of the argument for design which is analogical?
draws an analogy between the world, and its parts, and objects of human design
what is the second form of the design argument which is inductive?
that the world demonstrates regular order and motion in parts and as a whole
what are the five crucial features which indicate the existence of an intelligent designer?
order- operates in a regular way
benefit- universe provides for all necessary life
purpose- objects in the universe work towards an end or purpose
suitability for human life- universe provides the right environment for human life
appearance- beauty in nature which is not necessary for human life
which of Aquinas’s ways proved the existence of God?
fifth way
In which book did Aquinas write his five ways?
summa theologica
Aquinas argued that there is beneficial order in the universe i.e. things in the universe (which do not have intelligence) work towards the end of purpose. How does this provide evidence for the existence of God?
There are objects in the universe (which do not have intelligence) work towards an end or purpose which could not happen by chance. Therefore, they must must be directed by something which does have intelligence. god
Teleological Argument means what in Greek?
means purpose or end
what does the empirical nature of the universe mean?
using evidence gained from the senses (e.g. touch sight)
Kant based his argument on the empirical nature of the universe
the actions of the universe and its inhabitants could not be explained by the universe itself, therefore, what is the most likely reason for these things?
an intelligent designer- God
Paley most well known for which analogy?
watch analogy
Paley compared the world to a watch because the world work is like a machine why?
because all of its parts work towards the benefit of the whole