Design argument.

Question 1

What is the design argument?

Answer 1

• Comes from the Teleological argument - based on the Greek word Telos meaning end or purpose.
• The Design argument claims the universe appears to have been designed to fulfil their function.
• This suggests that there is an intelligent designer behind the existence of the universe.

Question 2

What are the key features of the design argument?

Answer 2

• It is an a posteriori argument because it uses empirical evidence based on our observations of the world, to show that aspects of the universe seem to have been designed because they are perfectly adapted to fulfil their function.
• The Design argument suggests that such perfect adaptations could not have come into existence by chance, but instead be the work of an intelligent designer, whom some people call God.
• The first form of the argument is analogical, drawing an analogy between the world and objects of human design.
• The second form of the argument is inductive, and takes the perspective that the universe demonstrates regular order and motion both in its parts and in the whole.
• Supporters of the Design argument claim that there a number of critical features that indicate the existence of an intelligent designer; order, benefit, purpose, suitability for human life, appearance.

Question 3

What did Thomas Aquinas say about the Design argument?

Answer 3

It is the fifth of his five ways to prove the existence of God, Aquinas’ view stated:

• There is a beneficial order to the universe, the universe works towards an end purpose or goal.
• This beneficial order could not happen by chance.
• Objects do not have the intelligence to work towards an end or purpose.
• Therefore, they must be directed by something that does have the intelligence.
• This being is God.

Question 4

What did William Paley say about the Design argument/

Answer 4

He wrote about the famous analogy of the watch.

• The world works like a machine, which is made up of parts that work for the benefit of the whole.
• The machine is so intricately designed that this could not have have happened through sheer chance.
• Therefore, this is proof of intelligent design.

Question 5

What did Richard Swinburne say about the Design argument?

Answer 5

• The Universe fits perfectly for the development of human life, just what would be expected from a loving creator.
• God is the best explanations for the creator because of the providential nature of the universe - it contains everything we need to thrive and our survival.
• Swinburne also argued that God created the laws which govern natural selection, through which humans and animals have evolved.
• Ockham’s razor.

Question 6

What did F.R. Tennant say about the design argument?

Answer 6

• The existence of an intelligent designer is found not just in the order of the universe, but in its beauty - nature, music, art, literature.
• The universe has more natural beauty than that which is neccessary to live.

Question 7

What did David Hume say about the argument?

Answer 7

• Paley’s watch analogy was unsound, since we have no certain knowledge of the universe.
• The universe is unique and cannot be compared to anything else.
• Universe does seem to show purpose but we will not know for certain.
• Leads to anthropomorphism.
• The universe is poorly designed.

Question 8

What did Charles Darwin say about the argument?

Answer 8

• Life developed through evolution.

- Living things will adapt to fit in with the environment.

Question 9

What did Richard Darwin say about the argument?

Answer 9

• The universe has evolved through choice.

- Design of the universe does not show its purpose.