3.2.2 Teleological arguments

• Thomas Aquinas incorporated Aristotle's ideas into his famous "Five Ways."
• What scientific advances in the 17th-18th centuries strengthened the argument from design?

  Physics and astronomy
• The argument from contingency claims that the universe's contingent nature requires a necessary and intelligent cause
• There are two main types of teleological arguments: the argument from design and the argument from contingency.
• Which scientific theory in the 19th century challenged teleological arguments?

  Evolutionary theory
• There are two main types of teleological arguments: the argument from design and the argument from contingency.


  True
• Thomas Aquinas developed teleological arguments in his "Five Ways" to prove God's existence.


  True
• What is the central premise of Thomas Aquinas' cosmological argument?

  The universe requires a cause
• Which historical figure influenced Thomas Aquinas' development of teleological arguments?

  Aristotle
• Which scientific theory challenged the design argument in the 19th century?

  Evolutionary theory
• Newton's laws of physics in the 17th-18th centuries strengthened the teleological argument.

  True
• William Paley's watchmaker analogy compares the universe to a complex watch.

  True
• According to Aquinas, the uncaused cause of the universe is a necessary being, which we call God.
• The Anthropic Principle suggests that the universe appears designed for life because we only observe universes that allow for our existence.
• What is the central idea of teleological arguments for the existence of God?

  Design points to God
• Chronological influence of scientific discoveries on teleological arguments

  1️⃣ 17th-18th Centuries: Advances in physics and astronomy strengthen the argument from design

  2️⃣ 19th Century: Evolutionary theory challenges the argument from design

  3️⃣ 20th Century: Developments in cosmology and biology revive interest
• What is the central idea of teleological arguments for the existence of God?

  Design implies an intelligent creator
• Who introduced the concept of an unmoved mover, which influenced teleological arguments?

  Aristotle
• Paley's conclusion is that the universe's design and order imply an intelligent creator similar to a watchmaker.


  True
• The universe's order and complexity provide explanatory power to teleological arguments.

  True
• Phases in the historical development of teleological arguments

  1️⃣ Ancient Greek Philosophy: Aristotle introduces the unmoved mover.

  2️⃣ Medieval Theology: Thomas Aquinas incorporates Aristotle's ideas.

  3️⃣ Scientific Influences: Newton's laws strengthen the argument from design.

  4️⃣ Evolutionary Theory: Darwin challenges the need for a designer.

  5️⃣ Modern Cosmology: New developments renew interest in fine-tuning.
• Which medieval theologian incorporated Aristotle's ideas into his "Five Ways"?

  Thomas Aquinas
• Phases in the historical context of teleological arguments

  1️⃣ Ancient Greek Philosophy

  2️⃣ Medieval Theology

  3️⃣ Scientific Influences
• Aquinas argued that the causal chain of the universe must be infinite.

  False
• Match the criticism of teleological arguments with a common response:

  Argument from Ignorance ↔️ Evidence of design and order

  Complexity does not imply design ↔️ Evolution explains biological complexity

  Infinite regress ↔️ God is an uncaused necessary being

  Anthropic Principle ↔️ Fine-tuning of physical constants
• William Paley's watchmaker analogy compares the complexity of the universe to the complexity of a watch
• What is a primary strength of teleological arguments?

  Apparent design and order
• Teleological arguments attempt to infer the existence of God from the apparent purpose and order observed in the natural world.


  True
• Aristotle introduced the concept of an unmoved mover as the ultimate cause of the universe.
• What renewed interest in the fine-tuning of the universe in the 20th century?

  Cosmology and biology
• What is the central premise of Thomas Aquinas' cosmological argument?

  Everything has a cause
• Teleological arguments have historical influence dating back to ancient Greek philosophy.

  True
• What do both types of teleological arguments attempt to infer about the natural world?

  Purpose and order
• Teleological arguments have a long and evolving history tied to scientific progress.


  True
• What does the argument from design claim about the universe?

  It exhibits intelligent design
• Match the historical period with its key figure and influence on teleological arguments:

  Middle Ages ↔️ Thomas Aquinas, Intelligent Designer

  17th-18th Centuries ↔️ Newton, Natural Laws

  19th Century ↔️ Darwin, Natural Selection

  20th Century ↔️ Scientists, Fine-tuning
• Steps of Aquinas' cosmological argument

  1️⃣ Everything that exists has a cause.

  2️⃣ The universe exists, so it must have a cause.

  3️⃣ This causal chain cannot be infinite; there must be an uncaused cause.

  4️⃣ This uncaused cause is a necessary being, which we call God.
• What does the argument from contingency claim about the universe's existence?

  It requires a necessary cause
• New developments in cosmology and biology in the 20th century renewed interest in aspects like the fine-tuning of the universe.


  True
• Evolutionary theory in the 19th century challenged the need for an intelligent designer in the universe.