Teleological Argument

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  • Created by: amy rose
  • Created on: 27-03-13 09:33
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  • Teleological Argument
    • 'a posteriori'
      • Based on external evidence; knowledge after experience
    • Aquinas Fifth Way
      • beneficial order of the universe could not happen by chance
      • objects do not have the intelligence to work towards an end/purpose
        • they must be directed by something that does have intelligence and is of great power
          • GOD
    • Everything acts with order and purpose
      • unintelligent things cannot order themselves
    • Paley's Watch Analogy
      • Shows how unity and purpose cannot be explained by chance.
        • examples : eye was desifned with a specific purpose to see
          • The discovery of a watch on a beach could not be explained by chance
            • Paley's Watch Analogy
              • Shows how unity and purpose cannot be explained by chance.
                • examples : eye was desifned with a specific purpose to see
                  • The discovery of a watch on a beach could not be explained by chance
                • Design qua regularity
                  • evidence for creator God in the regularity of the universe
                  • considered the motion of planets in our solar system
                  • relationships between planets & the effect of gravity could not have come about without a God
        • Design qua regularity
          • evidence for creator God in the regularity of the universe
          • considered the motion of planets in our solar system
          • relationships between planets & the effect of gravity could not have come about without a God
    • this is not by chance but by design
      • Everything acts with order and purpose
        • unintelligent things cannot order themselves
      • Analogy of the Arrow
      • Analogy of the Arrow
        • an arrow needs an archer to reach a target
          • universe must have been designed by someone = God
            • why the arrow performs its job so well is that the arrow was designed that way
              • The world has purpose, benefit, regularity, and suitablity
                • Teleological Argument
                  • 'a posteriori'
                    • Based on external evidence; knowledge after experience
                  • Aquinas Fifth Way
                    • beneficial order of the universe could not happen by chance
                    • objects do not have the intelligence to work towards an end/purpose
                      • they must be directed by something that does have intelligence and is of great power
                        • GOD
              • Thus gives evidence of design
                • Design must have been created by someone
                  • So if created, the designer is God
                    • The world has purpose, benefit, regularity, and suitablity
                      • Thus gives evidence of design
                        • Design must have been created by someone
                        • there must have been a designer who made the watch for its purpose because of its complexity
                          • Watch and the Universe
                            • there must have been a designer who made the watch for its purpose because of its complexity
                            • there must have been a designer
                              • Watch and the Universe
                                • the universe is so complex that it must have been 'desgined' by an intelligent being
                              • Makes assumptions, with no solid evidence to prove his theory
                                • Assumes that things in the natural world have some purpose
                              • Criticisms
                                • David Hume
                                  • Analogy of the house:  a house had a builder and architect - we cannot assume the same for the universe
                                    • If the house is faulty, what does this suggest about the designer?
                                  • could be other explanations for God being the creator
                                    • stated that there need not necessarily be one single designer (more than one)
                                      • not actual proof of a God let alone a designer
                                • Criticism of Paley: incorrect to compare the universe to a watch
                                  • as we have no proof of anything similar
                              • Design qua purpose
                              • Weaknesses
                                • Makes assumptions, with no solid evidence to prove his theory
                                  • Assumes that things in the natural world have some purpose
                                • Criticisms
                                  • David Hume
                                    • Analogy of the house:  a house had a builder and architect - we cannot assume the same for the universe
                                      • If the house is faulty, what does this suggest about the designer?
                                    • could be other explanations for God being the creator
                                      • stated that there need not necessarily be one single designer (more than one)
                                        • not actual proof of a God let alone a designer
                                  • Criticism of Paley: incorrect to compare the universe to a watch
                                    • as we have no proof of anything similar
                              • If God desgined the world, is he directly responsible for evil in it?

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