The Teleological Arguments

Question 1

Aquinas’ Qua Regularity Teleological Argument (x3)

Answer 1

‘We see things which lack knowledge, such as natural bodies, act for an end, […] Hence it is plain that they achieve this, not fortuitously, but designedly. ‘ - Aquinas, Summa Theologica

A-posteriori observation of cyclical/ reliable events e.g. seasons + planets

Analogy of the Arrow

Question 2

Paley’s Qua Purpose Teleological Argument (x3)

Answer 2

Analogy of the Watch

Human Eye is designed for vision

Several complex parts (+4 other evidences of design). Complexity suggests that it has been deliberately designed to fulfil a certain purpose

Question 3

Support for Teleological Argument (x2)

Answer 3

Paul Davies’ ‘Goldilocks Enigma; puts that the universe is ‘just right; for life, as the conditions are so perfect. Many would argue that these conditions could NOT have occurred by CHANCE

Frederick R Tennant’s ‘Aesthetic Principle’ puts that, as humans enjoy out art and music, there must be a God. Indeed, these qualities do not appear to aid survival, so cannot be explained by Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Question 4

Criticisms of the Teleological Argument (x4)

Answer 4

Inductive and not deductive

Brandon Carter’s ‘Anthropic Principle’ put that humans would only ever know a life-supporting universe, resolving the Goldilock’s Enigma

Darwin’s evolution explains as to everything is so perfect for our survival (we changed to fit it)

Hume argued that it was wrong to compare a watch to the universe, as the universe is so much more complex. Furthermore, complexity is subjective, and says more about the claimant than the universe

Question 5

Alternative to the Teleological Argument (x4)

Answer 5

An EVIL GOD as JS Mill thought that nature was cruel, as ‘All the things which men are hanged or imprisoned for doing […] are nature’s every-day performances’ and Darwin stated that ‘I cannot persuade myself that a beneficent and omnipotent God would have designedly created the parasitic wasp’

Hume argued that it could be MULTIPLE OR UNCONSCIOUS GOD. Furthermore, design does not mean conscious or intelligence, such as a spider’s web

The Epicurean Hypothesis puts that the beginning of the universe was indeed chaotic, but over time natural forces ordered it. NATURAL EQUILIBRIUM ACHIEVED