Arguments for the existence of God (Design Argument)

Question 1

Which philosopher is associated with the design argument?

Answer 1

William Paley

Question 2

Who is William Daley?

Answer 2

An English clergyman and philosopher

Question 3

In what book did William Paley present his design argument in?

Answer 3

Natural Theology or Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity

Question 4

When was Natural Theology originally published?

Answer 4

1802

Question 5

What kind of argument is the design argument?

Answer 5

• A posteriori
• Inductive

Question 6

How is the design argument an a posteriori argument?

Answer 6

It is based on empirical observations and evidence from the natural world

Question 7

How is the design argument an inductive argument?

Answer 7

It uses the premises to infer a new probable conclusion (using examples of order in the world to suggest there’s probably a designer)

Question 8

Can inductive arguments be used as proofs?

Answer 8

• Evidence is not proof
• Knowledge based on experience is defeasible

Question 9

Knowledge based on experience is defeasible.

What does this statement mean?

Answer 9

There could be further evidence that is currently unknown which would show it to be false

Question 10

What is the design argument?

(also known as the teleological argument)

Answer 10

An argument for the existence of God based on the apparent design and order in the natural world

Question 11

What analogy does William Paley use in the design argument?

Answer 11

Watchmaker analogy

Question 12

What is the watchmaker analogy? (short version)

Answer 12

The watchmaker analogy compares the complexity of a watch, which implies a designer, to the complexity of the universe, suggesting it too must have a designer

Question 13

What is the watchmaker analogy? (long version)

Answer 13

There is something about a watch which suggests it had not always been lying there. It is composed of parts which are intricately formed so as to produce a motion which is so meticulously regulated as to point out the hour and minute of the day. It has complexity which is arranged so as to perform a purpose. If the parts were themselves any differently shaped or composed of other materials, or were placed in any other arrangement, the purpose of telling the time would not have resulted. The watch could not have come about by chance nor been there forever because it has complexity and purpose. This must mean it had a designer - a watch maker.

Question 14

Paley states that there are also things (other than a watch) in the universe that are complex and have a purpose. Like what?

Answer 14

• The complexity of the human eye which s arranged to fulfil the purpose of enabling us to see
• The wings of a bird and fins of a fish which are examples of complexity fitted together to perform a purpose of flying and swimming

Question 15

Paley argued that the intricate complexity and order found in…

Answer 15

living organisms and the natural world cannot be the result of chance or randomness. He believed that such complexity and order necessitate an intelligent designer.

Question 16

Paley watchmaker analogy quote

Answer 16

“Every manifestation of design, which existed in the watch, exists in the works of nature”

Question 17

What is the fine-tuning argument?

Answer 17

Paley also made the case for the fine-tuning of the universe. He argued that the precise balance of physical constants and conditions necessary for life to exist strongly suggests the existence of an intelligent designer.

Question 18

What is Occam’s razor?

Answer 18

Occam’s razor (also known as lex parsimoniae) is a principle that states that among competing hypotheses the one with the fewest assumptions or entities should be preferred

Question 19

Which quote is associated with Occam’s razor?

Answer 19

“Entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity”

Question 20

How can Occam’s razor be used as a strength for the design argument?

Answer 20

God is the simplest explanation

Question 21

In monotheistic theology, the doctrine of ______ __________ (DDS) says that God is simple (without parts) - God is “_____________ ______”

Answer 21

In monotheistic theology, the doctrine of Divine Simplicity (DDS) says that God is simple (without parts) - God is “ontologically simple”

Question 22

What does design qua Purpose mean?

Answer 22

The combination of complexity and purpose (which we observe in natural objects and beings) is best explained by a designer

Question 23

What does anthropomorphic mean?

Answer 23

Language that attributes human characteristics or ideas to non-human entities

Question 24

How can anthropomorphism be utilised as a critique against the design argument?

Answer 24

The use of human-like attributes to explain the design of the universe is problematic because it relies on an analogy between human creations and cosmic phenomena. This anthropomorphic projection may lead to an oversimplification of the nature of the designer and the complexities involved in the creation of the universe.

Question 25

What counters the idea provided by Occam’s razor that God is the simplest explanation of the design in the world?

Answer 25

Hume’s Epicurean hypothesis

Question 26

What is Hume’s Epicurean hypothesis?

Answer 26

The universe (including its order and complexity) could have arisen from the random combination of atoms and natural processes – without the need for an intelligent designer

Question 27

How can Hume’s Epicurean hypothesis be used as a critique against the design argument?

Answer 27

It is also consistent with modern science but explains order and design without reference to a God – showing that the God explanation is unnecessary. It suggests that the apparent order and complexity in the universe can be the result of natural processes and random chance rather than the deliberate work of an intelligent designer.

Question 28

The fact that the design argument is a posteriori can be viewed as a strength – How does Hume counter this strength?

Answer 28

Hume aims to show that a posteriori observation of the world cannot provide a basis to conclude that a perfect God exists because the world contains imperfections like evil. Hume isn’t trying to prove that there is no designer – just that a posteriori evidence cannot be used to show that the designer must be the God of classical theism.

Question 29

How can Paley be defended from the argument provided by Hume that the evil in the world is evidence against God?

Answer 29

Evil may be unavoidable in order for God to bring about good:
– soul-making requires evil
– free will requires evil