The Design argument

• Teleological argument


  Argument for the existence of God or that complex functionality in the natural world which looks designed is evidence of an intelligent creator
• Design argument


  Another name for the teleological argument
• Intelligent design argument


  Another name for the teleological argument
• Teleological argument


  • Makes the basic assumption that there is order and design in the universe, and that all things function to fulfil a specific purpose
  • Uses observation of apparent order, regularity and purpose in the universe and natural world to conclude the universe is not the result of mere chance but design, and the designer is God
  • The intricate organism of the human body, and the perfect adaptation of its parts to the whole, appear to provide the evidence that the universe was designed
• Basic argument for design

  1. The universe has order, purpose and regularity

  2. The complexity of the universe shows evidence of design

  3. Such design implies a designer

  4. The designer of the universe is God
• Paley's Watch


  An exposition of the teleological argument for the existence of God, which made use of the watchmaker analogy
• Paley's argument


  • Design qua Purpose - Paley suggests we look at the intricate purpose of the human eye, which is so complex and specific, that it is logical to believe it must be the result of an intelligent designer, and not chance
  • Design qua Regularity - Paley argues that the fact the planets move so regularly and so mechanically perfect, like the cogs of a watch, is further evidence that there must be an intelligent designer behind it
• Thomas Aquinas


  An English clergyman, Christian apologist, philosopher, and utilitarian who accepted the teleological argument and included it as the fifth of his "Five Ways" of proving the existence of God
• Natural selection


  A process where organisms that are better adapted to an environment will survive and reproduce, passing on advantageous characteristics to their offspring, leading to evolution over many generations
• Natural selection


  Provides an alternative explanation for the design of the world, without reference to God, invalidating the teleological argument
• The old argument of design in nature, as given by Paley, which formerly seemed so conclusive, fails, now that the law of natural selection has been discovered - Darwin
• Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and hurricanes kill around 90000 people per year and affect approximately 160 million people
• If the universe had a designer


  It is quite a different sort of being than we ordinarily take God to be, as the argument gives no grounds for thinking the creator has the attributes traditionally ascribed to God (infinity, perfection, goodness, etc.) - Hume
• If the world is not perfect, it would be more supportive of a designer that was not an infinite, perfect being - Hume
• Order, purpose, and regularity in the universe

  The universe follows certain laws and patterns, such as the laws of physics and the changing of the seasons.
• Complexity of the universe

  The universe is incredibly complex, with many different parts that work together in intricate ways.
• Design implies a designer


  If something is designed, then there must be a designer who created it.
• Designer of the universe

  The designer of the universe is God.