Whether telos exists

Question 1

What is a strength of telos-based ethics?

strength

Answer 1

A strength of telos-based ethics is their empirical nature, meaning they are based on evidence.

Question 2

What observation did Aristotle make regarding nature and goals?

strength

Answer 2

Aristotle observed that everything has a nature that inclines it towards a certain goal, known as its telos.

Question 3

How does telos relate to empirical evidence? (look at nature)

strength

Answer 3

Telos is considered empirically valid because certain behaviors lead to the flourishing of organisms, a biological fact that supports the concept.

Question 4

What is a weakness of telos-based ethics according to modern science?

Weakness: Modern science’s rejection of final causation.

Answer 4

Modern science rejects the concept of telos, arguing that only material and efficient causation are valid scientific concepts, not formal and final causation.

Question 5

What did Francis Bacon, considered the father of empiricism, argue about causation?

Weakness: Modern science’s rejection of final causation.

Answer 5

Francis Bacon argued that only material and efficient causation were valid scientific concepts, rejecting formal and final causation.

Question 6

How do Aquinas and Aristotle define the essence of beings?

Weakness: Modern science’s rejection of final causation.

Answer 6

Aquinas and Aristotle claim that every being has a unique essence which gives it a particular end or purpose.

Question 7

How does modern science challenge the concept of telos?

Weakness: Modern science’s rejection of final causation.

Answer 7

Modern science asserts that entities do not have an essence or telos; instead, they are merely atoms moving in fields of force, governed by material and efficient causation.

Question 8

How does modern science explain supposed telos in beings?

Weakness: Modern science’s rejection of final causation.

Answer 8

Modern science explains the supposed telos in beings as resulting from non-teleological concepts related to their material structure and the forces operating on them, such as evolution.

Question 9

Why does modern science argue that telos is unnecessary?

Weakness: Modern science’s rejection of final causation.

Answer 9

Modern science asserts that telos is unnecessary as an explanation because it can explain the world without invoking telos, relying instead on materialistic and non-teleological explanations.

Question 10

What is John Polkinghorne’s argument about the limitations of science?

Evaluation defending telos:

Answer 10

John Polkinghorne argues that science is limited and cannot answer all questions. It can tell us what the universe is like but not why it is this way, nor why it exists. It cannot address questions about purpose.

Question 11

Why does Polkinghorne argue that science cannot rule out the existence of purpose?

Evaluation defending telos

Answer 11

Polkinghorne argues that science cannot rule out something like a prime mover or God, which could provide some kind of telos or purpose. If purpose existed, science would not be able to discover it.

Question 12

What does Polkinghorne’s argument suggest about the relationship between science and purpose?

Evaluation defending telos:

Answer 12

Polkinghorne’s argument suggests that science cannot be used to dismiss the existence of purpose because it is limited in its ability to address questions beyond the empirical realm.

Question 13

How does Polkinghorne characterize the limitations of science?

Evaluation defending telos:

Answer 13

Polkinghorne characterizes science as being able to tell us what the universe is like but not why it is this way, nor why it exists, nor can it address questions about purpose.

Question 14

What role does Polkinghorne attribute to science in understanding the universe?

Evaluation defending telos:

Answer 14

Polkinghorne suggests that science can provide valuable insights into the nature of the universe but is limited in its ability to explain deeper existential questions such as purpose and ultimate causation.

Question 15

What is Richard Dawkins’ response to the idea of purpose in the universe?

Evaluation critiquing telos:

Answer 15

Dawkins argues that it’s not valid to assume there is a ‘why’ or purpose for our existence, comparing it to asking “what is the color of jealousy?” This analogy suggests that just because we can ask why we and the universe exist, it doesn’t mean there actually is a purpose for it.

Question 16

How does Dawkins employ the burden of proof in his argument?

Evaluation critiquing telos:

Answer 16

Dawkins argues that those who claim purpose exists have the burden of providing a reason to think it exists. He suggests that there is no scientific basis for thinking anything other than material and efficient causation exists.

Question 17

What does Dawkins suggest about the possibility of explaining why the universe exists?

Evaluation critiquing telos:

Answer 17

Dawkins suggests that scientists may one day explain why the universe exists through scientific inquiry. However, even if they don’t, he contends that it doesn’t justify a non-scientific explanation of purpose such as telos.

Question 18

How does Dawkins challenge the idea of purpose?

Evaluation critiquing telos:

Answer 18

Dawkins challenges the idea of purpose by arguing that there is no evidence to support it and that a non-scientific explanation like telos lacks justification. He maintains that those who claim purpose exists have the burden of proof.

Question 19

What does Dawkins’ analogy about the color of jealousy illustrate?

Evaluation critiquing telos:

Answer 19

Dawkins’ analogy illustrates that just because we can ask a question about something (such as the color of jealousy), it doesn’t imply that the thing actually exists or has the properties we’re asking about. Similarly, asking why we exist doesn’t necessarily mean there is a purpose for our existence.