UNIT 1 Inductive reasoning

• What type of reasoning is the design argument?

  A type of inductive reasoning
• How does the design argument start and end?

  1. Starts with specific experiences

  2. Draws general conclusions
• What does the design argument focus on?

  • Focuses on validity
  • Conclusions are valid if they apply to the real world
• Principle of induction


  Idea that past experiences tell you what to expect in the future
• Name Key details of the design argument

  • Evidence based
  • Deals in probabilities but not certainties
  • Creates expectations or predictions
• Design argument can only show that god is "probable" or "likely"
• It is always possible something else is responsible
• Religious belief is supposed to be about certainty


  The design argument is irrelevant for religious faith
• Perspectives on the design argument

  • YES - it is a problem
  • NO - it leaves room for doubt, important in religious faith
• Problem of induction


  Points out inductive arguments are based on the principle of the uniformity of nature, a massive assumption with no rational basis
• The problem of induction does undermine the design argument
• The problem of induction could be argued to not affect the design argument too much as it undermines all of science and a lot of common sense
• A posteriori argument


  An argument based on experience or observation, based on experience of the world