Theme1B Teleological Argument Flashcards
What is the teleological argument?
The argument that order, purpose, and complexity in the universe suggest the existence of an intelligent designer-God.
What does telos mean?
It is a Greek word meaning “end” or “purpose”.
What type of reasoning does the teleological argument use?
It is an a posteriori argument (based on experience) and inductive (leading to a probable conclusion).
What analogy does Aquinas use for the teleological argument?
The archer and arrow analogy-an arrow needs an archer to reach its target, just as natural objects require guidance from God.
What is Aquinas’ Fifth Way?
- Inanimate objects act with regularity and purpose.
- Regularity cannot happen by chance.
- Regularity implies guiding intelligence.
- This intelligence must be God.
What is design qua regularity?
What is desiThe idea that the universe follows natural laws in a predictable, organized way, suggesting governance by an intelligent being.
What does qua mean?
It is a Latin word meaning “as”
What evidence does Aquinas use for a designer?
What evideThe predictability of natural laws (e.g., planetary orbits) suggests a governing intelligence-God.
Who was William Paley?
An English Christian minister and philosopher who supported the teleological argument through his watchmaker analogy.
What are Paley’s two types of design arguments?
- Design qua purpose - Objects show complexity and function (e.g., the human eye).
- Design qua regularity - The universe follows consistent laws (e.g.,
Newton’s laws and planetary motion
What is Paley’s Watchmaker Analogy?
A watch has complexity, order, and purpose, so it must have a designer. Similarly, the universe exhibits these features, implying a divine designer.
What natural object does Paley compare to a watch?
The human eye, which has complexity, order, and purpose, just like a designed object.
How does Paley respond to Hume’s criticisms?
He argues that even if a watch is faulty or we have never seen one before, we would still assume a designer. The same applies to the universe.
What is design qua regularity?
The argument that the universe follows natural laws (e.g., Newtonian physics, planetary orbits), implying it was designed by an intelligent being—God.
How does Paley use Newtonian laws to support design qua regularity?
He argues that the solar system’s order and obedience to natural laws suggest intentional design by an intelligent being.
Name four features of the world used as evidence for design.
- Complexity (e.g., human eye, DNA)
- Order (e.g., planetary motion)
- Purpose (e.g., ecosystems functioning together)
- Laws of nature (e.g., gravity, physics)
What human-made item does Paley compare to features within the world?
A pocket watch—it has complexty, order,and purpose, jut lik the human eye and th universe.
What were Paley’s two types of argument?
- Design qua purpose – The world’s complexity suggests intentional design (e.g., the human eye).
- Design qua regularity – The universe follows consistent natural laws, implying governance by an intelligent being.
Who was F.R. Tennant?
A British theologian and philosopher who argued that science and religion are compatible and developed the anthropic and aesthetic principles.
What is the anthropic principle?
The idea that the universe was specifically designed to support intelligent human life, as seen in:
1. The universe’s rational order.
2. Conditions perfect for survival (e.g., gravity, electrons).
3. Evolution leading to rational beings.
What is the aesthetic principle?
The argument that beauty in the universe and our ability to appreciate and create beauty have no evolutionary advantage, suggesting a designer (God) put them there for our enjoyment.
Why does Tennant argue that appreciation of beauty is evidence of design?
Because natural selection does not require humans to enjoy music, art, or sunsets for survival—this suggests a creator designed us with this capacity.
How does Tennant’s argument relate to evolution?
He believes that evolution was the method used by God to bring about rational human life, rather than being a random process.
