Teleological Argument Question
Based on class lecture and class handout, critically discuss the teleological argument for God's existence. Reconstruct the classic teleological arguments for God's existence as expressed by Thomas Aquinas and William Paley. What objections have been rais
Classic Analogical Teleological Arguments
Classic analogical teleological arguments such as Aquinas and Paley's arguments support that the universe and/or various physical systems within the universe have been designed by an intelligent (divine) designer
Nature of Teleological Arguments
Insist that the natural universe and/or physical systems within that universe are higly ordered , and that this implies design, which implies an intelligent and powerful designer.
These arguments are (1) probabilistic and (2) are often analogical argument
Thomas Aquinas' Argument
This philosopher argues that there is a fifth way that the word functions from the governance of the world. Whatever lacks knowledge cannot move towards and end unless it is directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence. Example: The arro
William Paley's Argument
This philosopher offeres an analogy of a watch and watch maker. If someone found a watch on the beach they would assume that someone made that watch. It's order and intricacies imply design and a designer. Thus, the universe emplies a designer. Example: T
David Humes Objection to the Classic Analogical Argument
The arguments assume that the universe resembles a machine in its order and complexity
1. What if most of the universe is chaotic rather than orderly?
2. The universe resembles a biological organism more than a machine, and we don't know whether biologica
Objections to the Classic Analogical Arguments
The order of the universe does not necessarily imply design
Fine-Tuning Teleological Argument
This argument holds that the cosmos over-all has key features that are best explained by an intelligent designer. If any of these conditions had been slightly different, life could not have emerged. Example: If Big Bang expansion had been reduced by "one
Intelligent Design Teleological Argument
This argument contends that there are numerous physical systems within the universe whose emergence cannot be explained simply by the working of physical law and chance but can only reasonably be explained as having been deliberately and intelligently des
Criticisim of Intelligent Design Teleological Theory
This theory fails to recognize that the complex biological systems in question could be built with component systems that have separate functions in other organisms.
Criticisms of Fine-Tuning Teleological Argument
The reason life developed as it did on this planet and the reason atoms developed as they did in the universe is because their deveolopment was compatible with the basic structres of the univers that happened to exist.