The Design Argument Flashcards
Define posteriori
An argument based on the evidence of our observation of the world.
What are the features of the Design Argument? (4)
- Posteriori Argument
- Created by the work of an intelligent, personal designer. (Cannot happen by chance)
- The first form is an analogical
- The second form is inductive
Define analogical argument
An argument based on analogies or similarities.
Define inductive argument
An argument based on premises and conclusions.
How is the design argument a posteriori argument?
It uses empirical evidence from our observation of the world to show that aspects of the universe seem to have been designed because they are perfectly adapted to fulfil their function.
What is the first form of the design argument?
It draws an analogy between the world and its part to objects of human design.
What is the second form of the argument?
It takes perspective that the universe demonstrates regular order and motion both in its parts and its world.
What are the crucial features of the universe that shows there is a designer?
Order, Benefit, Purpose, Suitability for Human Life, Appearance
What does ‘Order’ mean to indicate that there is an intelligent designer?
The universe shows that the object and scientific laws operate in a regular way.
What does ‘Benefit’ mean to indicate that there is an intelligent designer?
The universe provides all that is necessary for life.
What does ‘Purpose’ mean to indicate that there is an intelligent designer?
Objects within the universe appear to be working towards an end or purpose.
What does ‘Suitability for human life’ mean to indicate that there is an intelligent designer?
The universe provides the right environment for human life.
What does ‘Appearance’ mean to indicate that there is an intelligent designer?
The beauty of nature and the universe suggests that it is intended for something more than basic survival.
What kind of argument is the design argument?
Teleological Argument
What is the Aquinas view on the design argument?
1) There is order in the universe i.e. there are things in the universe that work towards an end or purpose.
2) This could not have happened by chance
3) Objects do not have the intelligence to work towards an end or purpose.
4) Therefore they must be directed by something that does have intelligence.
C) God’s nature is to have intelligence thereby God exists.
What did Swinburne claim? (2)
- The universe fits perfectly for the development of human life is just what would be expected from a loving creator.
- God is the best explanation because of the providential nature of the universe.
Who said about the regularity of co-presence, regularity of succession, perspective of probability?
Richard Swinburne
Define regularity of co-presence
Everything in the universe works together in an orderly way
Define regularity of succession
The orderly pattern of the universe is very simple
Define perspective of probability
The easiest and most simple explanation of the universe is that it has a cosmic designer
What are the features of the universe that increase the likelihood of the universe being designed? (7)
The existence of the universe The existence of order in the universe The existence of consciousness Human opportunities to be morally good The pattern of history Miracles Religious experience
What did Swinburne say that could argue with Darwin’s theory as it contradicts with the present of God?
God created the laws with govern natural selection because through them we have evolved.
Define natural selection
The biological process which certain animals become more or less common due to genetic characteristics and changes.
What is the Aesthetic principle?
The beauty in the world is proof of intelligent design.
Who came up with the Aesthetic principle?
F.R. Tennant
Who came up with the Anthropic principle?
John Polkinghorne
Define natural laws
The laws of nature upon which science is based, that govern the way the universe seems to operate
What does John Polkinghorne that he uses as a reason for the design of the universe? (2)
- God is the total explanation
* God conducts and improves the performance of the universe, though the universe is not fixed and unchanging.
What did Stephen Hawking say?
Evolution could allow for the existence of God as an intelligent designer because evolution could be the mechanism through which God’s creation took place.
What is the main weakness of the Design Argument?
- The universe works in an orderly way
* Humans have no knowledge or experience on how the world was designed.
What did David Hume mostly criticise on?
Paley’s analogy; the watch
What did David Hume say to criticise the DA? (6)
Paley’s watch analogy was unsound; we have no idea or experience on how a world is made.
The universe is unique and cannot be compared to anything else, definitely not a watch
How are we certain that the universe has a purpose?
This leads to anthropomorphism because we are comparing our qualities and skills to Gods and stating that they are the same.
If God is compared with a human designer then it serves only to limit his powers.
If the universe is designed, then it is very poorly designed.
Where did Hume write his criticisms?
In his book called ‘An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding and Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (1998)’
Why did Darwin’s theory prove that the Design Argument was wrong? (3)
- Life developed in evolutionary steps
- Living things change and adapt to fit in the environment. They were not designed.
- There is too much suffering in the natural world for it to have been made by a kind and loving God.
What is the Anthropic principle?
The world was designed to support human life.
What did Richard Dawkins believe in? (2)
- The universe evolved as a series of chances
- The design of the universe does not show its purpose
- How is evil and suffering a problem of the design argument?
- It argues that the designer of the universe must be very limited in power to allow suffering.
- If God was indeed the creator, he must be either limited in power or not all-loving.
Who said that the problem of evil is a ‘Rock of atheist’?
David Hume
What did Swinburne say to define moral evil?
Evil caused deliberately by humans doing what they ought to not do.
What did Immanuel Kant regard the Design Argument to be good?
- It is posteriori and is based on the empirical nature of the universe.
- There must have been a intelligent designer because it could not have been explained by itself.
Define empirical
Using evidence gained from the senses; touch, smell, sight, taste, sound.
If we came across a watch, how would you think it has been designed? (3)
- It has a purpose
- It works in a specific way
- It has regularity and order
Define intelligent design
The universe shows evidence of having been thought-out in its design.
What did Paley believe in? (2)
1) Like a machine, a world is made up of parts that worked towards the benefit of the whole.
2) The world could not have been made by chance, it is working towards a particular goal.
This is proof of an intelligent design.
