arguments based on observation

Question 1

to what extent does evolution undermine the teleological argument? (4)

Answer 1

• critique of the illusion of design
• swinburne = unpersuasive
• tennant = persuasive /doesnt undermine
• evolution = not the God we may think

Question 2

aquinas’ fifth way does not demonstrate the existence of God (5)

Answer 2

• is everything designed with an absolute purpose?
• illusion of design = illusion of telos
• undermine swinburne
• tennant = persuasive, so aquinas = persuasive

-God = different to what we think?

Question 3

the world was created by chance, not God’s design (5)

Answer 3

• tennant = persuasive
• order = necessary!!
• swinburne = unpersuasive
• quantum mechanics
• critique watch analogy

Question 4

there must be a reason to account for the existence of the universe (5)

Answer 4

• dawkins view
• stephen hawking = no beginning, no reason

-fallacy of composition

• why is God uncaused causer, and not the universe?
• hume = arbitrary to think universe exists

Question 5

to what extent does hume successfully argue that observation does not prove the existence of God? (4)

(No, f u)

Answer 5

• no evidence for christian God
• order = necessary
• fallacy of composition (uncaused causer)
• universe = could be eternal, necessary (physics)

Question 6

how convincing is the cosmological argument as proof of the existence of God? (4)

Answer 6

• fallacy of composition, universe/ God is not bound by universal laws
• arbitrary to think universe exists
• why must God be uncaused causer, and not the universe?

-doesnt have to be abrahamic God?

Question 7

indeductive arguments

Answer 7

uses specific premises or observations to make a broader generalisation

Question 8

deductive argument

Answer 8

conclusion is true by stating premises must be true