Teleological Argument
Essay link for 30 marker: Christianity, Nature of God- God wants to
reveal himself to humanity so he can have a personal relationship
with us
Design Argument:
What does the teleological argument argue?
The universe is ordered towards an end or purpose. It is far more probable to say
that it is ordered and made by an intelligent being, than it is to say it was due to
chance.
Where does the word ‘teleological’ come from?
It comes from the Greek word ‘telos’ meaning order or purpose
What words describe the argument?
Inductive because our experiences of order and regularity is evidence for a universe
that has been designed with a probable conclusion of a designer- God.
A posteriori because it relies on our senses and experiences of the world. We
perceive order, beauty and complexity as use it as evidence of design and order
implies a designer- God.
What is Thomas Aquinas’ design argument?
Formulated five ways, the fifth being his design argument which was introduced in
his Summa Theologica
Argued that nature has organised itself so that everything works to obtain the best
result
Inanimate world things don’t organise themselves by chance as they lack direct
intelligence e.g. an arrow does not find its target without the directing aim of the
archer. Similarly, it’s God who directs the natural world.
Teleological Argument 1
, Who was Aquinas influenced by?
Aristotle who argued there are four ‘causes’ that explain why all things behave the
way they do
Material cause- what it’s made of
Formal cause- what form it takes
Efficient cause- who made it
Final cause- reason or purpose for what is made
What are the weaknesses of Aquinas?
Big jump from there is a purpose to that purpose is God
Made an assumption that we have a purpose
Why does the world have imperfections if it is perfectly designed?
Evolution suggests that movement towards a goal or purpose is random, not
directed by an intelligent being
What is William Paley’s argument from qua purpose?
If you came across a stone on health, you could conclude that it has always been
there.
However, if you came across a watch then you couldn't conclude the same. A watch
is far more complex and intricate, so must have been put together to fulfil a
purpose.
In the same way, the universe is even more complex and has been designed to fulfil
some function (analogy). For example, the eye is intricately designed for vision or
fish have gills to allow them to breathe in water.
What is William Paley’s argument from qua regularity?
A watch works by having regular mechanical movements
This regularity can be compared to regularity in the universe, for example the
movements of the planets, stars and galaxies.
What is David Hunt’s parable?
Teleological Argument 2
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