The Design Argument Flashcards
what is inductive reasoning
its the bottoms up approach , draws conclusions
the conclusion is not always certain.
it is also based on probability
inductive reasoning focuses on how the conclusions are valid and can be applied to real life
what is deductive resoning
deductive reasoning is the top down approach, it is logically certain of a conclusion
what does the design argument use?
the design argument uses a type of thinking known as inductive reasoning.It starts with certain experiences and draws general conclusions
what is the principle of induction
the principle of induction states that if somethiong X has happened, in a particular circumstance n times in the past, we are justified in believing that the same circumstances will produce X
does inductive reasoning deal in probabilities and not certainties
yes
a posteriori arguments
the proof of thwe statement relies on external evidence
the design, cosmological and problem of evil arguments are all a posteriori arguments
the interpretation of experience
since the design argument uses inductive reasoning to produce an a posteriori argument, it is based on experience
what is the design argument
the design argument suggests that like human inventions, features of the universe are so perfectly adapted to fulfil their function that they display evidence of being deliberately designed.GOD IS SEEN AS THE MOST LIKELY EXPLANATION.
the argument seeks to explain four features of the world: order, benefit, purpose and sustainability for human life
which one of aquinas’ way is the design argument
the fifth way
aquias’ fifth way- the argument from intellegent design
Aquinas observed that the beneficial order of the universe could not happen by chance and since objects of the universe do not have the intelligence to work towards an end or a purpose, they must be directed that something that has intelligence.
God is the explanation for the beneficial order
is the world made by a designer?
yes, the universe was intelligently designed .This suggests that there was an intelligent designer, God.
what is paleys argument
in natural theology, Paley uses the analogy of the watch
it is reasonable to assume that a watch found on a heath came about with the agency of a watchmaker
it is equally unreasonable to suggest that the watch came about without the agency of a God
what is design qua purpose?
the argument suggests that the universe appears to be designed to fulfil some purpose
what is desihgn qua regularity?
the argument that the universe appears to behave according to some set of rules
does paley argue that god is the designer of all things
yes
modern day interpretations of the design argument
Swinburne
Swinburne argues that the probability of design is greater than chance.He implies ockhams razor- the simplest explanation is usually the right one
what does tenant say about the design argument
he outlines that the universe is not evidently chaotic.It appears to be designed to support life
he also says that there is more to life than mere existence
beneficial order
beneficial order
things within the universe work towards an end or a purpose
what does the word telos mean
it means an end or a purpose
what does the word empirical mean
it draws its premises from the observation of nature and that the world is based on our experience
define anthropomorphism
the reason and the purpose of thew universe is to support human life
Dawkin says ‘we are so grotesquely lucky to be here’
what does this mean?
we may have never existed
