Teleological Argument: Detailed Notes

• What is Aquinas' 5th way focused on?

  The teleological (design) argument
• What did Aquinas observe about natural objects?

  They do not behave randomly but towards a goal
• How do flowers demonstrate goal-directed behavior?

  They move in alignment with the sun
• What does Aquinas mean by 'telos'?

  It refers to an end or purpose
• Why can't natural objects direct themselves towards their end?

  They are non-intelligent or insufficiently intelligent
• What analogy does Aquinas use to explain directed behavior?

  Humans directing objects through physical force
• How does God direct the behavior of objects according to Aquinas?

  By creating natural laws that govern behavior
• What is Paley's design argument based on?

  The combination of complexity and purpose
• What analogy does Paley use to illustrate his design argument?

  The example of a watch
• Why does Paley believe a watch cannot come about by chance?

  It has complexity arranged for a purpose
• What does Paley claim about the human eye?

  It is complex and arranged to enable sight
• What does Paley conclude about the universe based on complexity and purpose?

  It must have a universe designer
• What is a crucial strength of design arguments?

  Their use of analogy
• How does analogy function in scientific inference according to Swinburne?

  It provides a best explanation style argument
• What is Hume's objection to analogy in design arguments?

  Similarity of effects does not imply similar causes
• What does Hume argue about the creation of the universe?

  It may be radically disanalogous to anything known
• What does Hume say about artifacts versus natural objects?

  Artifacts are mechanical, while the universe is organic
• How do modern philosophers interpret Paley's argument?

  Not based on analogy but on complexity and purpose
• What does Hume's 'committee of Gods' objection suggest?

  Multiple designers could exist, not just one God
• What does Swinburne argue against Hume's points?

  Ockham's razor favors a single designer
• What is a weakness of the design argument according to critics?

  It provides low support for specific faith
• What do Hume and Darwin argue about the design argument?

  It cannot justify belief in a perfect God
• What is Hume's evidential problem of evil?

  It highlights imperfections in the world
• What does Hume conclude about belief in a perfect being?

  It is not justified based on evidence
• How does Paley respond to Hume's argument?

  A broken watch still implies a watchmaker
• What contemporary evidence supports Hume and Darwin's points?

  Evolution involves significant suffering
• What strength does the design argument have against atheistic approaches?

  It relies on purpose, hard to explain scientifically
• How does Darwin's theory challenge the design argument?

  It explains order without implying purpose
• What does the evidence of suffering and extinction suggest about the existence of a perfect God?

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

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

  • Relies on purpose
  • Difficult for atheistic approaches to explain
• How does Paley view complexity in relation to design?

  Complexity combined with purpose suggests design.
• What does Aquinas’ design argument rely on?

  Purpose
• What did Darwin's theory of evolution demonstrate about order in nature?

  It can be explained by natural scientific means.
• Why do proponents of the design argument misunderstand evolution?

  They think complexity must be designed.
• What does natural selection refer to?

  Better adapted members survive and reproduce.
• How does evolution explain complex organisms?

  Through gradual adaptation over time.
• What is the title of Richard Dawkins' book criticizing the design argument?

  “The Blind Watchmaker”
• What does Dawkins mean by a "blind" watchmaker?

  Nature's mechanical forces create order.
• What are Tennent's two main design arguments?

  1. Aesthetic principle: beauty perception requires God.
  2. Anthropic principle: universe's properties suggest design.