Teleological argument

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A posteriori argument
An argument in which a conclusion is reached based on evidence that has been observed. ('From what comes after')
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Backward looking
Starts from the beginning and tries to work out what causes the result, In this case: Starts from observing apparent design and order in the natural world and tries to demonstrate that there is a designer of it.
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Aquinas' teleological argument: Argument from Teleology - Last of the five ways
1) Natural world, everything follows natural laws 2) Things that follow natural laws tend to do well and have a goal and purpose etc. 3) A thing cannot think or have a goal or purpose etc. unless it is directed by something that thinks (God -> world)
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Regularity of succession
Things in nature follow certain laws that lead to certain results.
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Weakness of aquinas' argument
He assumes that everything follows a general law set down by a designer. Why cant the universe just exist and not need to have a purpose for its existence?
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William Paley's Teleological Argument: Paley's Watch
if you saw a rock and a watch in the same field you would assume the rock had always been there and that the watch would have to have had a desinger.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Starts from the beginning and tries to work out what causes the result, In this case: Starts from observing apparent design and order in the natural world and tries to demonstrate that there is a designer of it.

Back

Backward looking

Card 3

Front

1) Natural world, everything follows natural laws 2) Things that follow natural laws tend to do well and have a goal and purpose etc. 3) A thing cannot think or have a goal or purpose etc. unless it is directed by something that thinks (God -> world)

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Things in nature follow certain laws that lead to certain results.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

He assumes that everything follows a general law set down by a designer. Why cant the universe just exist and not need to have a purpose for its existence?

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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