The Design (Teleological) Argument

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The Design (Teleological) Argument

• N.B.
• This goes with the Origin of Life section, and
  the First Cause Argument goes with the Origin of
  the universe section.

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The Design Argument

• Set out originally by William Paley in 1802 in a
  book called Natural Theology.
• It is an a posteriori argument (meaning it is
  based on sense experience).
• It is called the Teleological Argument because of
  the Greek word telos, meaning design or purpose.
• It is based on the observation of the variety,
  order and beauty in the universe, which
  presupposes design and purpose in its creation.

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Paleys Watch Analogy 1

1. If you were walking and came across a stone, you
   would presume it had always been there, requiring
   no purpose or design.
2. If you came across a watch (and you had never
   seen one before), however, you would naturally
   ask what it was and where it came from.
3. You would examine it and see that it is very
   complex glass, cogs, a chain, etc.
4. You would conclude that such an object could not
   have just appeared randomly, or have just existed
   forever, but that someone must have made it.
5. If you watched the watch working, you would also
   conclude that it was made to carry out a purpose
   (to tell time).
6. Therefore, you could finally conclude that there
   had to be an intelligent watchmaker who designed
   this object with a purpose in mind.

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Paleys Watch Analogy 2

• This argument is an analogy comparing one thing
  with something similar, so the second half of
  Paleys argument compares the watch with the
  universe.
• Similarly, if you look at the world we live in
  you will see how complex it also is.
• You could examine it and see that it has very
  complex systems weather, gravity, etc. It also
  has so many complex organisms living on it,
  perfectly suited to their environments.
• You would conclude that such complexity and
  harmony could not have just appeared randomly,
  but that it must have been designed somehow (like
  the watch was).
• You might also conclude that everything seems to
  be working together to a similar end.
• Therefore, you could finally conclude that there
  had to be an intelligent world-maker who
  designed this universe and all of life with a
  purpose in mind.
• This world-maker must be God, as God is the
  only being out-with the universe, and is the only
  intelligent, powerful and loving creator.

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Traditional Criticisms of the Design Argument

• These criticisms come mainly from David Humes
  book Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (1801
  BEFORE Paley published his book!).
• His first argument that any analogical argument
  is weak to say something is LIKE something
  else, is not proof.
• If the universe was designed, it is not
  necessarily by God (the watch, for example, could
  have been designed by a team, or by a genius
  lunatic, etc so these possibilities should also
  apply to god).

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• The universe is NOT like a watch! (One is
  mechanical and set, the other is organic,
  changing and growing).
• Nature is NOT perfect, beautiful and harmonious.
  There is just as much chaos and disorder as order
  and beauty (disease, disaster, war, etc) either
  the designer is poor, or perverse!
• If there is design in nature, nature may be
  providing it herself For all we know a
  priori, matter may contain the source or spring
  of order naturally within itself.
• Some people argue that Humes criticisms of the
  argument are so infallible, that Paley would not
  have published his book if he had known about
  them!