The Existence Of God #3: The Teleological Argument

Question 1

Describe the teleological argument (6)

Answer 1

1. If you found a stone, you may infer it had always been there. But if you found a watch, it’s complex nature implies design
2. Analogy comparing the watch to the universe
3. “Teleos” means purpose, that the universe is here for a reason
4. An ‘a posteriori’ argument, based on our observation of the nature of the universe
5. Universe has examples of regularity and purpose
   - eg. Purpose: wings to fly, eyes to see
   - eg. Regularity: seasons
6. The only being intelligent enough to design is God

Question 2

To what extent does the teleological argument prove the existence of God? (8)

Answer 2

IT DOES
1. Evolution may be part of God’s plan: his mechanism to create life
2. It is supported by inductive reasoning and is a posteriori argument
3. Consistent with scriptures, the revealed word of god
- eg. Romans ‘his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen’
4. There are examples of design: of purpose and regularity
- eg. Purpose: wings to fly, eyes to see
- eg. Regularity: seasons

IT DOES NOT
1. Bad design implies creation is down to chance and not design, therefore not god as a designer
- eg. Natural disasters
2. No proof universe was designed: maybe it has always been there
3. Belief in creator is a leap of faith that universe and life were designed by God

Question 3

Does science support the arguments for belief in God? (8)

Answer 3

YES
1. Some scientists argue universe cannot be eternal and needs a cause
2. Some scientists believe it is not contradictory for god to be an uncaused first cause
3. God may have caused the Big Bang: the singularity causing expansion
4. Coppleston and Leibniz would argue the existence universe demands an explanation
5. Creation scientists argue science supports religious explanations
- eg. Flood geology, seeing fossils

NO
1. First cause may have been Big Bang, not cause
2. Our universe may be result of the end of a previous one: infinity could still be an explanation
3. Just because we all have mothers, the universe does not need one too
4. Bad design infers there is not a designer
- eg. Disasters such as tornadoes