Arguments based on observation Flashcards
Arguments based on observation - Aposteriori arguments
Depend on experience and observation, using them to draw conclusions. They look at different possible explanations for whatever is being experienced or observed and draw conclusions about which explanation provides the best fine.
Arguments based on observation - Teleological arguments
Use observation of order, beauty, and complexity to draw the conclusion that God exists.
Arguments based on observation - Cosmological argument
Seeks to understand the existence and nature of God through observation of the world around us.
Arguments based on observation - Ockham’s razor
A principle which says that the best explanation is usually the one which requires the fewest extra assumptions.
Arguments based on observation - Aquinas’ teleological (design) argument
> Used Aristotelian ideas extensively in his own theology
Though God gave us reason so that we could learn about him
Gave five ways in which we can use reason to conclude that God exists
Fifth of the fove ways is the teleological argument
Uses the example of an arrow heading for its target - if we saw the arrow in flight we would conclude that it must have been shot on purpose because arrows cannot move on their own. When we see tha planets mocing an an orderly way we can conclude that a divine mind must have put them in motion on purpse because planets cannot move on their own.
Arguments based on observation - Paley’s teleological argument
> 18th century, set out his teleological argument in his book Natural Theology.
Analogy of someone finding a watch on a heath, to show that when we see things working in an orderly and purposeful manner
We can see order and purpose in the world too.
We can see from the care God put into creation that he cares for us.
Arguments based on observation - Aquinas’ cosmological argument
The first three of Aquinas’ five ways are variations of his cosmological argument.
>The first way - unmoved mover - we observe motion and change in the world. There must be reason for it, which must be God.
>The second way - uncaused causer - we observe chains of cause and effect in the world, there must be reason for it, which must be God.
>The third way - contingency - everything in the universe depends on something else for its existence. There must be something that doesn’t depend on anything else. Otherwise, nothing would have ever started, this muct be God.
Arguments based on observation - Leibniz and the principle of sufficient reason
There must always be a ‘sufficient reason’ or explanation for everything. The universe requires a sufficient reason, and the only reason that is sufficient to explain the existence of the universe must be God.
Arguments based on observation - The anthropic principle
The universe seems expertly fine-tuned to allow human life to exist. It seems more likely that this fine-tuning is a result of deliberate design than that it happened by chance against enormous odds.
Arguments based on observation - Hume’s criticisms of teleological and cosmological arguments
> The analogy between a watch and the world is weak; the world is very obviously not like a watch.
Order in the world does not have to mean that someone must have had an idea of the design - it is essential and could have come around by chance.
The universe is unique so we cannot know how universes are usually made or whether ours is uniquely orderly.
Just because things in the universe have causes, it does not follow that the universe as a whole must have some sort of universal cause.
Perhaps the universe is its own cause
We can’t look at the effects and confidently infer the cause
- Might not be the God that Christians describe
- It might be a God who is stupid
- It might be a whole committee of Gods
Arguments based on observation - Criticisms of the teleological argument
> Strong because we can see the world around us and appreciate elements or order, beauty, and purpose which could be best explained by the existence of God
Theory of evolution provides an alternative explanation for characteristics of living things.
Not everyone sees the world as orderly and beautiful
Apriori - can only lead to a probable conclusion and doesn’t prove anything
Arguments based on observation - Criticisms of a posteriori arguments
> Use evidence that we can all see for ourselves
We don’t all see the same things or have the same experience - a posteriori arguments don’t appeal to everyone
Find the ‘best fit’ explanation but can never be certain
Can’t prove can only suggest strongly probable conclusions
New evidence may force a need for a new explanation
Need for constant review can be a positive or a negative; discourages arrogance, encourages questioning
Arguments based on observation - Criticisms of cosmological arguments
> We all share the experience that the universe exists - God could be best possible explanation
Other theories suggest different explanations
Not everyone thinks the universe requires an explanation or reason
Can only lead to probable conclusion, doesn’t prove anything.
