The Teleological Argument

Question 1

What is telos?

Answer 1

A Greek word meaning the end/outcome of something

Question 2

What is the teleological argument?

Answer 2

Arguments for God’s existence based upon observation, proving there is a reason for existence

Question 3

What is a posteriori?

Answer 3

Based upon our senses and work backwards from results to find the cause

Question 4

What are the types of teleological argument?

Answer 4

1. Based on purpose (qua purpose)

2. Based on regularity (qua regularity)

Question 5

Where did Aquinas argue the Fifth Way?

Answer 5

Summa Theologica

Question 6

What is important about natural law?

Answer 6

The natural world follows natural laws

If this is done, things have a goal/purpose

Question 7

What does Aquinas conclude?

Answer 7

‘Some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God’

Question 8

What is Paley’s watch argument?

Answer 8

The watch is put together for a purpose and has been designed by a creator to do this
The watch must have it’s own designer

Question 9

What is Hume’s critique?

Answer 9

He disagreed that design in the world gives evidence for God’s existence
Order is necessary but not designed
Creatures are only suited to their purpose by chance
Even if we assume a creator, there is no reason to suggest it is the Christian God

Question 10

What is Dawkins criticism?

Answer 10

Believes in the evolutionary theory. Argues for survival of the fittest/natural selection (Darwinism). We are the product of DNA