The Teleological Argument

?
What does the Teleological Argument suggest?
The world displays elements of design, with things being adapted towards some end or purpose. Such design suggests the work of a designer: God
1 of 29
Which one of Aquinas' Five Ways is teleological?
His Fifth Way
2 of 29
What does this Way argue?
1) Certain things seem to work together for an end result; this cannot be through their own nature, as they are inanimate; there must be something that thinks to direct them; this is God
3 of 29
What analogy did he use to illustrate this point?
The archer: If you see an arrow flying through the air, you know it must have been shot by an archer, as the arrow itself is inanimate.
4 of 29
Is William Paley for or against the Teleological Argument?
For
5 of 29
What was the name of his book?
'Natural Theology'
6 of 29
What is the name of his first argument?
Design qua purpose
7 of 29
What is the name of his second argument?
Design qua regularity
8 of 29
Explain his first argument
We can infer design from the world because of the way things fit together for a purpose; this must be the work of a designer
9 of 29
What analogy did he use to illustrate his first argument point?
The Watch: if we saw a watch on the ground, and saw its complex design, we would infer a watchmaker
10 of 29
Explain his second argument
Evidence from Newton's Laws of motion and gravity prove design. The planets in the solar system all obey the same laws of gravity. This could not have come about by chance, there must be a designer
11 of 29
What does the Anthropic Principle argue?
The universe was constructed for the development of human life
12 of 29
Who developed the Anthropic principle? In which book?
1) F.R Tennant 2) 'Philosophical Theology'
13 of 29
Name his 3 arguments to suggest the world was designed
1) Strong Anthropic Principle 2) Weak Anthropic Principle 3) Aesthetic Argument
14 of 29
Explain the Strong Anthropic Principle
the universe was designed explicitly for the development of human life. The development of human life was inevitable.
15 of 29
Explain the Weak Anthropic Pricniple
If the world were different, we would not be here. The world did not HAVE to be the way it is.
16 of 29
Explain the Aesthtic Argument
Humans have the ability to appreciate beauty, which is a skill not required for the development of life. Therefore, it is the product of a divine designer
17 of 29
Arthur Brown agreed with the design argument. What did he argue?
In his work 'Footprints of God' he pointed to the ozone layer and how its exact thickness was suited for its purpose. This shows a plan and therefore design.
18 of 29
Richard Swinburne agreed with the design argument. What did he argue?
There are a few hundred elements which operate to the same laws. The most simple explanation would be the God planned it to be this way (appeals to Ockham's Razor!)
19 of 29
Swinburne gave a specific name to the order in the universe. What is it? What does it argue?
'Temporal order' The high degree of order in the universe is evidence of a personal, conscious God.
20 of 29
David Hume argued against the Teleological Argument in which of his works?
'Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion'
21 of 29
What does David Hume say about the aptness Paley's analogy?
What you chose to say the world is like shapes the outcome. Paley used a watch, which infers a watchmaker. By chosing the equate the world to a watch, Paley determines the outcome he wants before he even starts
22 of 29
What does Hume ask us to consider instead of a watch?
Hume asks us to consider a cabbage; the leaves of a cabbage fit together perfectly, but by looking at his we would not infer a cabbage maker, as a cabbage is all natural. In the same way, the Earth is natural, so we should not infer a maker/designer
23 of 29
Give some of Hume's other arguments
1) Just because there is order does not mean there is a designer 2) If we accept the analogy of the watch, there is another issue. We could infer there was more than one watchmaker. In the same way, the universe could also have more than one maker.
24 of 29
What is Hume's argument from effect to cause? What analogy does he use?
We cannot go from evidence in the Earth to an all-powerful God. The set of scales analogy: there is a set of scales, one pan lifted up, the other we cannot see. We can infer that whatever is on the other pan is heavier, but that's all.
25 of 29
What does John Stuart Mill argue?
Living things are cruel to one another, and natural disasters kill thousands. If the world is designed, it was designed to be cruel. Therefore, the designer must be malicious and want his creation to suffer.
26 of 29
What was Charles Darwin's theory of evolution?
'Survival of the fittest': those of a species who are best suited to their environments will survive long enough to reproduce, thus making a stronger generation.
27 of 29
How does Charles Darwin's theory against the teleological argument?
It provides an alternative solution why creatures seem so well suited to their purpose. It seems far more plausible than the idea of a God who made a personal choice to make the world a certain way.
28 of 29
What does Richard Dawkins argue?
Modern Darwinist: argues for evolution and DNA
29 of 29

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Which one of Aquinas' Five Ways is teleological?

Back

His Fifth Way

Card 3

Front

What does this Way argue?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What analogy did he use to illustrate this point?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Is William Paley for or against the Teleological Argument?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Religious Studies resources:

See all Religious Studies resources »See all Philosophy resources »