theme 1 - the teleological argument Flashcards
What is an A Posteriori Proof? What does it rely on?
- Based on experience
- A Posteriori Proof relies on empirical evidence and inductive reasoning.
What type of reasoning is associated with A Posteriori Proof?
- Inductive reasoning (based on experience)
What type of evidence does A Posteriori Proof rely on?
- Empirical evidence (sense experience) derived from observation and experimentation
What kind of conclusions does A Posteriori Proof reach?
- only probable conclusions, there are always other possible conclusions
What is the Design Argument based on?
- the idea that there are signs of complexity, regularity, order and purpose in the universe and that this suggests design (CROP)
what is Premise 1 of the Design Argument?
- things which are designed have a designer
- this premise asserts that design implies an intelligent creator
what is Premise 2 of the Design Argument?
- the universe shows signs of design
- this premise points to observable features in the universe that suggest intentional design
what is the conclusion of the Design Argument?
- the designer is God
What is Aquinas’ Fifth Way?
A form of the teleological argument included in Thomas Aquinas’ five ways.
What does Aquinas argue from in his Fifth Way?
Design in relation to the order and regularity in the universe.
What is ‘design qua regularity’?
The concept that the order evident in the world indicates a designer.
What does Aquinas consider as proof of a designer?
The overall order evident in the world.
According to Aquinas, what do many objects lack?
Intelligence to work towards an end purpose themselves.
What example does Aquinas use to illustrate his point?
An acorn whose end is an oak tree.
What conclusion does Aquinas reach regarding objects that lack intelligence?
They must be directed by something that does have intelligence.
What must exist according to Aquinas’ argument?
An intelligent being, which he identifies as God.
What analogy is used to explain the concept of purpose in nature?
- the Archer and Arrow Analogy
- an archer shooting an arrow at a target illustrates how everything in nature is directed to its goal by God
What are some examples of order and regularity in nature?
- photosynthesis
- pollination
Who put forward the teleological argument known as ‘design qua purpose’?
- William Paley
- Paley’s argument emphasizes that design implies purpose.
What analogy does Paley use to illustrate his argument?
- the analogy of a stone and a watch
- a stone is seen as an accident, while a watch provides evidence of design if the purpose of the watch is not obvious
What key features of a watch illustrate the concept of design?
- consists of parts
- each part has a function
- parts work together for a specific purpose
What is the main argument presented by Paley regarding the watch?
- the watch consists of parts that work together for a specific purpose, indicating it must have been designed
- this is used as an analogy to argue for the existence of a designer for the universe
How does Paley compare the universe to a watch?
- the universe possesses complex features similar to a watch but on a far more wondrous scale
- this comparison implies that both must have been designed
What conclusion does Paley draw about the universe?
- the universe has been designed by a wondrous universe maker, i.e., God
What examples does Paley use to support his argument about design in nature?
- Paley shows the intricacy of animals and humans, particularly using the example of the eye
- the eye serves as a prominent illustration of design and purpose
What is Tennant’s Aesthetic Argument?
- humans possess the ability to appreciate beauty found in music, art, literature, and the natural world
- this argument suggests that the appreciation of beauty is not necessary for survival, implying evidence of a divine creator.
What does Tennant argue regarding the Aesthetic Argument?
- It is evidence of a divine creator and cannot be the result of natural selection
what is the Anthropic Argument?
- the universe is not chaotic; it contains the conditions necessary for life to exist
- this argument highlights the specific environmental conditions that support life
what conditions does the Anthropic Argument identify as necessary for life?
- warmth from the sun
- air
- water
- an environment where food can grow
- these elements are fundamental for sustaining life on Earth.
what is the relationship between evolution and design according to Tennant?
- he argued that evolution is part of the design
- this viewpoint suggests that evolution does not contradict the notion of a divine creator
what is The Goldilocks Principle?
- the idea that conditions in the universe are ‘just right’ for life to exist
who are the two philosophers mentioned in relation to these arguments?
- Paley and Tennant
