1.3 Arguments based on observation

• What are A Posteriori arguments ?

  Arguments that draw conclusions based on observation through experience
• What does the Teleological argument use ?

  Teleological arguments uses observation/evidence of order, beauty and purpose to conclude that God exists (It looks to end results)
• What does the Cosmological argument use ?

  Cosmological arguments uses the fact that existence requires an explanation. It asks the question 'Why there is something rather than nothing?'
• In what ways does Aquinas think God's knowledge can be revealed ?

  In 2 ways : Revelation and Human reason
• What does Aquinas use for his Teleological argument ?

  Aquinas uses his 5th way (from his Summa Theologica) to say that nature has an order and purpose to it
• What example does Aquinas use in his Teleological argument ?

  The example of an arrow heading to a target. It must've been shot as it cannot move on its own; God directs everything
• What analogy does Paley use in his design argument ?

  Paley uses the watch analogy to conclude that due to how well it's constructed, someone must've made it
• What does Paley suggest ?


  Paley suggests that order and purpose and clear evidence of complex design in that natural world concludes that it must've been designed by God. It couldn't have come by chance
• What does every detail show for Paley ?

  God's care
• Why does Hume critique the existence of a perfect God ?

  Hume uses evidence of evil to infer that it isn't possible for a perfect God to exist. However, a perfect God may be defended through Hick's soul making theodicy
• Why does Hume critique Paley's watch analogy ?

  Hume says the analogy is weak because design and purpose may be clear in a watch but not in the world (e.g How dry ice and fire produce smoke) There is little similarity between the world and machines
• How can Paley be defended ?

  Paley is just saying that a designing mind is the best explanation for a universe with complexity
• How else does Hume critique the Teleological argument ?

  1. Hume points out that even if the design argument worked, it doesn't prove a particular God's existence as it could've been a group of Gods or a junior God...
  2. We can't leap to the idea of a divine orderer since we can't compare this universe with another to see if it's more ordered

  However, believers respond saying that Aquinas and Paley aren't trying to prove a certain God, but just that it's rational to believe in a God
• What were Aquinas' 2 assumptions ?

  The Universe exists and there must be a reason
• What was Aquinas' 1st way ?

  Motion. There must be an Unmoved Mover since nothing can move on its own accord
• What was Aquinas' 2nd way ?


  Causation. Everything has a cause as nothing can cause itself. Hence, there must be an Uncaused Causer
• What was Aquinas' 3rd way ?

  Contingency. Everything depends on something for its existence. Nothing comes from nothing. God must be the contingent being
• Why does Hume critique the cosmological argument ?

  The casual principle is that everything has a cause but Hume claims its possible the Universe has no cause. However, it's scientifically justified to believe that everything has a cause
• What was Leibniz's Principle of Sufficient Reason ?

  The thought that everything that exists must have a reason or cause for its existence
• What did Gottfried Leibniz say about God ?

  The only sufficient reason to explain the existence of the Universe must be God
• Criticisms of the cosmological argument

  • Religious believers say its wrong to seek an explanation for God as belief is all about wonder, praise and prayer
  • We can't claim that God is necessary as we don't understand his nature
  • Some consider the Big Bang Theory a better fit than the God hypothesis