teleological

• What is the main focus of Aquinas' 5th way in the Teleological argument?

  Aquinas' 5th way focuses on the observation that natural objects behave towards a certain goal or purpose.
• How do natural objects behave according to Aquinas?

  Natural objects act 'always, or nearly always' in the same way to obtain the best result.
• Give an example of a natural object that behaves in a goal-directed way.

  Flowers can move in alignment with the sun throughout the day to get more sunlight.
• What does Aquinas suggest about the behavior of objects in the world?

  Aquinas suggests that objects do not behave randomly but with regularity in a goal-directed way.
• Why can't natural objects direct themselves towards their end according to Aquinas?

  Natural objects cannot direct themselves towards their end because they are either non-intelligent or insufficiently intelligent.
• What must direct the behavior of non-intelligent objects according to Aquinas?

  An intelligent being must direct the behavior of non-intelligent objects.
• How does Aquinas illustrate the need for an intelligent being to direct objects?

  Aquinas illustrates this by comparing it to an archer directing an arrow towards a target.
• What is the role of God in directing the behavior of objects according to Aquinas?

  God directs the behavior of objects by creating natural laws that govern and regulate them.
• What conclusion does Aquinas reach about the existence of a designer based on his observations?

  Aquinas concludes that there must be an intelligent designer, which he identifies as God.
• What is William Paley's design argument based on?

  Paley's design argument is based on the combination of complexity and purpose observed in natural objects.
• How does Paley illustrate his design argument with the example of a watch?

  Paley illustrates that a watch's complexity and purpose suggest it had a designer, unlike a simple rock.
• What does Paley conclude about the universe based on the complexity and purpose found in natural objects?

  Paley concludes that the complexity and purpose in the universe indicate there must be a universe designer.
• What does Paley assert about the designer of the universe?

  Paley asserts that the designer must have a mind, as design requires a designer with a purpose in mind.
• What is a crucial strength of design arguments according to the text?

  A crucial strength of design arguments is their use of analogy.
• How does analogy function in design arguments?

  Analogy provides a best explanation style argument when direct observation of a cause is not possible.
• What is Hume's objection to the analogy used in design arguments?

  Hume argues that similarity of effects does not imply similarity of causes.
• What example does Hume use to illustrate his objection to analogy?

  Hume uses the example of smoke produced by fire and dry ice to show different causes for similar effects.
• What does Hume suggest about the analogy between natural objects and man-made artifacts?

  Hume suggests that there may be no analogy between the origins of natural objects and man-made artifacts.
• How does Hume characterize the creation of the universe?

  Hume characterizes the creation of the universe as potentially radically disanalogous to anything else we know.
• What does Hume argue about the analogy between artifacts and natural objects?

  Hume argues that artifacts are mechanical with precise design, while the universe appears more organic and chaotic.
• How do modern philosophers interpret Paley's argument regarding analogy?

  Modern philosophers often read Paley's argument as not being based on an analogy between artifacts and the universe.
• What property does Paley argue requires a designer?

  Paley argues that the property of complexity and purpose requires a designer.
• How does Aquinas position his arguments in relation to the design argument?

  Aquinas positions his arguments to not claim too much, suggesting there is some designer but not necessarily the Christian God.
• How does A. McGrath characterize Aquinas' natural theology?

  1. McGrath characterizes Aquinas' natural theology as an "a posteriori demonstration of the coherence of faith and observation."
• What is Hume's 'committee of Gods' objection?

  Hume's 'committee of Gods' objection suggests that evidence of design does not imply a single designer, but could indicate multiple designers.
• What is Swinburne's response to Hume's critique regarding the designer's attributes?

  Swinburne agrees that the design argument cannot prove the designer has the attributes of the God of classical theism.
• How does Swinburne use Ockham's razor in relation to Hume's claims?

  Swinburne uses Ockham's razor to argue that one God being responsible for the design is a simpler explanation than multiple gods.
• What do proponents of the design argument seek to show according to the text?

  Proponents of the design argument seek to show that it is reasonable to believe in a designer.
• What is a weakness of the design argument mentioned in the text?

  A weakness is that the support for faith provided by an argument for a generic designer is very low.
• What do Hume and Russell argue regarding the existence of God?

  Hume and Russell argue that there is insufficient evidence to justify belief in God.
• How do design arguments attempt to counter Hume and Russell's position?

  Design arguments attempt to provide an inductive proof of God using a posteriori evidence.
• What is Hume's evidential problem of evil?

  Hume's evidential problem of evil argues that the existence of evil undermines the belief in a perfect God.
• What examples does Darwin provide to support Hume's argument?

  Darwin provides examples of parasitic creatures to illustrate the existence of suffering in the world.
• What does the evidence of suffering and extinction suggest about the existence of a perfect God?

  It suggests that there is no perfect God.
• What sarcastic remark did Darwin make regarding design?

  “Some design, huh?”
• What is a strength of the design argument?

  • It relies on purpose.
  • Purpose is difficult for atheistic and scientific approaches to explain.
• How did Paley view complexity in relation to purpose?

  He believed that complexity combined with purpose makes it reasonable to infer design.
• What does Aquinas’ design argument rely on?

  Aquinas’ design argument relies on purpose.
• What did Darwin’s theory of evolution demonstrate regarding order in nature?

  It showed that order in nature could be explained by natural scientific means rather than purpose and design.
• What do proponents of the design argument mistakenly believe about purposeful features of animals?

  They believe that these features must have been created by a designer.