Outline and Critically Evaluate the design Argument

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Hayley Edridge                                                           Essay 1 

Outline and Critically Evaluate the design Argument

Also known as the Teleological Argument, Originating from the Latin word for “teleos” meaning ‘distance’, the Design Argument is the basis for the existence of God, or at least the existence of a designer.

Many Theologians such as Charles Darwin, Michael Paley and David Hume have all commented on their views concerning this argument, which I shall consider in my assessment.

The Design argument states that the cosmos shows signs of designer in it’s regularity; Seasons, day and night and phases of the moon, and that certain features serve specific purposes (teats for several young).  Such design needs to have been created by a designer, the designer being God.  This implies that the universe was created for an eventual, distant purpose, whether known or to be found.

This specific argument has two parts to consider when discussing certain aspects. Design qua regularity and Design qua Purpose.

Design Qua Regularity apposes that the universe shows sign of regularity as exampled before, but raises the question of how.  Philosophers supporting this argument believe that such signs can conclude a designer at work.

Design Qua Purpose suggests that some characteristics of the cosmos point toward a purpose.  Certain elements seem to correspond with others for no apparent reason other than pure design.  As if the world were a machine, God, the designer, has engineered and supervised his designs specifically to keep regularity upon it.

A good supportive account used when discussing the Design argument is found in “Natural Theology”, called “The watch and the watchmaker”, William Paley.  Paley argues that just like the watch in his story, some things have a clear purpose like the sun, to give light and heat, whereas other things such as the stone and other planets have no clear purpose that we yet know of. His narrative is convincing in the way he uses the watch and its parts to show specificity of design and purpose.  He explains that although we have not seen the watch produced, we know it has a designer who intended it to be used for a reason.  We cannot be ignorant and simply suggest that a stone serves no purpose just because we know not of it and have not seen it personally created. Neither can we simply conclude that pure chance allowed the cosmos to occur.

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 Natural instinct, resulting in survival and Newton’s law of motion were also viewed to aid Paley’s beliefs. Perhaps the most famous argument of design, I feel this story shows a broad understanding of the question in mind and portrays a simple, understandable prospect of the Design argument.

Another, more obvious place to find support of the design argument can be seen in the Bible.  Genesis shows evidence of Regularity and Purpose as well as design.  “Lights…to put light upon the earth…and the evening and the morning…” Although some people may not believe the teachings of the Bible, there appears ...

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