Metaphysics Of God: Teological/design Arguments

Question 1

Design argument

Answer 1

An argument for God as the mind/designer/intelligence which explains the order we find in reality and the universe. Such as spatial order and temporal order

Question 2

What type of justification are the design arguments

Answer 2

A posteriori. Atleast one of the premises are a posteriori

Question 3

Swinburne

Answer 3

Makes a distinction between the 2 types of order in nature upon which design arguments might be based

Question 4

What are the 2 types of order in nature according to Swinburne

Answer 4

1) spatial order - regularities of copresence
2) temporal order - regularities of succession

Question 5

Spatial order (regularities of copresence)

Answer 5

Patterns of spatial order at some of instant of time.
E.G. the books in a library are arranged in alphabetical order

Question 6

Temporal order (regularities of succession)

Answer 6

Simple patterns of behaviour of objects, their behaviour in accordance with the laws of nature.
E.G. newtons laws of gravitation which holds a high degree of approximation

Question 7

Hume

Answer 7

Hume outlines a version of the design argument before going to heavily criticise it.
He presents it as an analogically argument. It draws an analogy between the properties that a human made object has and the properties found in natural objects in which he uses this to conclude they must have a similar cause (designer)

Question 8

The design argument from analogy P1- C1

Answer 8

P1: Human artifacts (e.g. cameras, machines, organisations) have ‘spatial order’ which is a form of ‘teleolgical’ properties whereby parts are arranged in space with high complexity such that they work a purpose.
P2: nature itself (and natural entities within it e.g. eyes, organisms) also have spatial order
P3: human artifacts have these spatial orders because they have been deliberately designed by an intelligent being
P4: similar effects/properties typically have similar causes/explanations
C1: therefore, nature/natural entities probably have spatial order because they have been deliberately designed by an intelligent being

Question 9

The design argument from analogy P5-C3

Answer 9

P5: Natural entities are much more complicated than human artifacts
P6: this greater complexity probably requires greater intelligence
C2: therefore, this intelligent being/designer which exists probably has much greater intelligence than a human
C3: therefore, god exists