Design Argument Revision

Introduction to the design argument:

• Also known as the teleological argument
• From the Greek 'telos' meaning order or purpose
• Focuses on an intrest in regularity
• Analogical argument
• Inductive argument
• A posteriori - based on observation
• Dates back to pre-christianity - Plato

Seeking explanations:

• Made into a theistic argument
• Considers a number of issues that are raised by the question: 'Why is the universe as it is?'
  - Order
  - Benefit
  - Purpose
  - Suitability for human life
  - Appearance

Aquinas's Fifth way:

• Non-rational beings act in a way that leads to the best result
• If non-rational beings can work towards this goal, something must be directing
• Based on the following premises:
  - There is benefical order in the universe
  - This beneficial order could not have happened by chance
  - Many objects don't have the intelligence to work towards an end or purpose
  - Therefore, they must be directed by something that does have intelligence
  - Therefore, God exists…