Design argument

• What type of argument is the design argument?

  A posteriori- it relies on experience
• What is the design argument based on?

  It is based on observing aspects of the universe that appear designed.These observations serve as premises for the argument.
• What does the argument involve?

  The argument involves an inductive inference from premises to a conclusion.
• Why is it an inductive argument?

  It provides evidence for a conclusion but do mot logically entail it.Inductive reasoning offers reasons to believe a conclusion but it doesn’t guarantee certainty.Evidence in inductive arguments is not considered as proof.Knowledge based on experience is 'defeasible' meaning it could be proven false with unknown evidence.The design argument being inductive reflects our current best understanding on available evidence
• What is the First thing Paley observed?

  Complexity of the natural world including the things within it.He looks at the complexity of biological organisms and organs such as the eye.He also looks at the complexity of nature by which everything is governed.
• What is the Second thing Paley observed?

  Regularity , Paley observes in particular the regularity that orbits of comets,moons and planets and the regularity of seasons of the year
• What is the Third thing Paley observed?

  Purpose- Paley observes the machines that we make and infers they are built for a purpose their complexity and regularity implies they have a purpose.Our observation of complexity and regularity of the world therefore implies the world also has a purpose.
• How do the observations formulate the argument?

  1. Some objects in the world provide clear evidence that they were designed because they present complexity snd regularity from which we can infer were made for a purpose.
  2. The universe appears to exhibit complexity and regularity from which we can infer that it was made for a purpose.
  3. It is likley the universe was designed.
  4. Paley argued inductively from what we can see in the world (appearance of design) back to the supposed cause God because no other being is capable of designing a universe .
• What is natural theology?

  There must be a reason something is there and jump to the conclusion that there was a designer that planned and produced everything for a purpose.
• What was Payley's analogical design?

  Payley's transferring his inference about the organisation and design of watches to the organisation and design of nature.

  1. A watch has complex parts, each with a function and the parts work together for a specific purpose
  2. So the watch must be designed by a watchmaker
  3. Similarly the universe has parts that function together for a purpose
  4. So the universe must be designed by a universe maker
  5. The universe is far more wonderful design than a watch so its design is much greater than any human designer.
  6. The universe designer is God
• David Hume: 'Why not many Gods? The argument does not prove the existence of a Christian God.'
• Even if we grant that the universe was designed there is no evidence that this was the God of Christian Theism
• The universe could've been designed by a lesser being or even by many Gods working together
• The existence of evil and imperfection in the world suggests a limited designer or an evil designer who enjoys creating evil and suffering ensuring people have to struggle in life
• Maybe there is evidence of design but how do you reach the conclusion that the Christian God is the designer
• second criticism of the design argument

  David hume: The analogy is flawed- the world is more like a vegetable than a machine.

  • the world is more like a floating vegetable than a machine.Vegetables grow themselves without the need for a designer.
  • To make an analogy between the designers of human machines and a designer of the universe is anthropormophism. This projects the idea of a watch maker onto God which creates the image of god being a watch maker character which undermines belief in God.
• Third criticism of the design argument

  The natural world is filled with evil and suffering.The creator of this world not being portrayed as omnibenevolent.It observes that the natural world is filled with pain and suffering.It does not suggest the existence of an omnibenevolent creator.

  It undermines the idea that our natural observation of the natural world leads tp the belief in Christian theism.The amount of evil and suffering cause by nature is irreconcilable with the idea of an all loving designer
• 4th criticism of the design argument

  Evolution and natural selection explains the illusion of design .There is no intelligent designer.

  • argues there is no watchmaker 'natural selection' is the watchmaker
  • Science can explain the appearance of design in the universe as a result of Darwins theory
  • The world was not designed to us we are adapted to it.
• What is the 5th criticism of the design argument?

  Russel: the existence of the universe is a brute fact

  A brute fact is a fact that cannot be further explained or explains itself.He asserted that in a famous radio debate that 'i should say that the universe is just there, and thats all'
• how does the design argument offer proof?


  1.Most things are true in life are based on inductive arguments.They are accepted as 'true beyond reasonable doubt'.The stronger the evidence the more probable/true a claim is. 2. Many theists may be satisfied that the argument offers proof because it is consistent with the pre existing beliefs and world views(in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth).Theists may rationally see observed based arguments as proof for their religious beliefs.Furthermore the argument used observation
• how doesn’t the design argument offer proof

  1. only inductive argument can offer absolute proof.The design argument is inductive and you can never be absolutely certain
  2. outdated,flawed,incorrect according to atheist.