The Existence of God: Teleological Argument

The Teleological Argument

Key words and How to use them:

• Qua - "as of relating to": design qua purpose
• Telos - Purpose/meaning: the telos of a pen is to write
• Regularity - ordered OR measured OR put into place
• Premise - statement/part of an argument
• Inductive - an argument in which if the premises are true, than the conclusion is possible/probable
• Posteriori - reason based upon our senses
• Synthetic - True by experience

A basic introduction to the teleological argument

The universe has evidence of order, purpose and regularity. Example:

• the complexity of the universe shows evidence of design
• such design implies a designer
• the universe cannot have come about by chance 
• the designer of the universe is God

Evaluation Points:

1. Everything has a human purpose but humans don't have a purpose, so if humans are removed does anything have a purpose?

2. It shows evidence but doesn't prove it

3. The universe is so complex so the designer must be complex too. So who designed the designer?

4. The universe could have been created by chance, we have no proof of either possibility

Teleological Argument (in depth):

What is the purpose of: A ducks webbed feet? to help it swim more efficiently. Finger nails? to pretect finger tips. Eyelashes? to prevent things falling into your eyes.

The teleological argument has therefore something to do with design qua purpose.

What does the earth/universe need in order for humans to survive? water = oxygen + hydrogen to drink, oxygen to breath, light, the correct level of gravity, correct level of temperature.

The teleological argument has therefore something to do with design qua regularity.

Aquinas' Teleological Argument

Its a Posteriori inductive argument

The teleological argument is an inductive proof of God. Aquinas uses a posteriori reasoning to create this proof.

The argument in its four stages:

1. Things that lack intelligence, such as living organisms, have an end (a purpose)

2. Things that lack intelligence cannot move towards their end unless they are directed by someone with knowledge and intelligence.

3. For example, an arrow does not direct itself towards its target, but needs an archer to direct it

4. (conclusion) Therefore (by analogy) there must be some intelligent being which directs all unintelligent natural things towards their end. This being God.

Explain the difference between the theory of Aquinas and Aristotle

Aristotle - every living being has a purpose, that comes about naturally

Aquinas - an intelligent is behind purpose

Aquinas wrote this significant thing in the De Veritate:

Similarly, Philosophers call every work of nature the work of intelligence.

Why is the theory inductive?

If the premises are true, the…