philosophy
The Teleological Argument
---Any argument which uses the design among things in the world (or the universe), or the purpose of things/experiences to attempt to prove God exists is a teleological argument, also known as the argument from design.
Traditional Teleological Argument (Aquinas)
1. Things in the world, and the world as a whole show evidence of design.
2. Whatever shows evidence of design must have been created by an intelligent being, a designer.
3. Therefore, the world must have been created by an intelligent being, a designer.
4. This designer is God.
Amended (Analogical) Teleological Argument (David Hume and William Paley)
1. Things in the world and the world as a whole show evidence of design.
2. Our experience shows us that things which show evidence of design are caused by intelligent beings.
3. Our experience shows us that like effects have like causes.
4. Therefore, probably, the world was caused by an intelligent being.
5. This intelligent being is God.
Best-Explanation Design Argument
1. Things in the world and the world as a whole show evidence of design.
2. The best explanation of this design is that it was created by a designer.
3. There must be a designer of the universe.
4. This designer is God.
---There has been a lot of public debate regarding “Intelligent Design” as an alternative explanation of the existence of the Earth and all its species. This position is usually composed of providing one of the last two arguments, then arguing 3 points:
a, Some biological structures are “irreducibly complex.”
b. There are no “transitional fossils.”
c. No one has ever observed evolution.
--However, these two arguments are weak (see objections below). Further, most biologists agree that the three points of the Intelligent Design position can be answered:
a. Biologists have SHOWN that the “irreducibly complex” structures used as examples can, and did arise through natural selection (such as vision).
b. Biologists have THOUSANDS of transitional fossils.
c. We have (and continually do) observed evolution, with many new species recorded.
The Argument from Miracles
1. There are events which are miracles (events which cannot be explained by natural law).
2. Miracles require a miracle worker.
3. Therefore, there must be a miracle worker.
4. This is God.
The Argument from Religious Experiences
1. People have experiences that seem to be of God. (or “I” have had such experiences)
2. The best explanation of these experiences is that they are of God.
3. Therefore, God exists.
• First Four Objections are for all accounts, the last 3 are focused on the final three versions.
Objections a. While there is design in the world, it is also true that many things in the world show evidence of an inept designer.
b. The designer may not be God (omniscient, etc.).
c. There could just as easily be many gods.
d. Any evidence of design is evidence against God being omniscient.
e. If God must perform miracles, God is not perfect. (Argument from Miracles)
f. Evolution is actually a much better theory to explain the design in the universe. (Best-Explanation Argument)
g. Hallucinations are a better explanation of “religious experiences” than that they are from God. (Argument from Religious Experiences)