What are the strengths of the Design Argument? Comment on some of the criticisms raised against the design argument.

               Kant rejected the design argument however he stated 'This proof always deserves to be mentioned with respect'. Kant believed there are too many assumptions. We come to the decision there is order and design. We have only experienced this world. For all we know this world could be in complete chaos. David Hume had written the criticisms of a designer God twenty three years before William Paley's theory. Hume came up with criticisms such as Why hasn’t God informed us of the purpose? Why is there evil in the design? Who designed the designer? How do we know the world was designed if we weren’t there? Why stop at one God there could be many. There could have even been a world making competition. Hume believed the teleological argument was an unsound analogy. There are too many differences between a machine and the world.

                 The theory of Evolution/Natural Selection (Charles Darwin 1859) gave an explanation where God was no longer needed. Evolution states that over millions of years organisms have gradually changed and evolved. The stronger survive the weaker do not which is passed onto offspring. This theory put the bible into question.

                In conclusion there is never ultimate proof either way. There are always arguments for and against.

                 My personal opinion is I believe the world is far to complex to have just come about by chance. The conclusion I come to is that I believe God created the world. Although there is a lot of evil and suffering in the world I believe God did not intent for it to be this way.

                Swineburne saw the teleological argument as the simplest explanation. Science can be used to support both sides of the argument. The probability that this world could have come about purely by chance is practically impossible. Einstein stated 'God does not play dice.'

              If you already have a belief in God then the teleological argument can be used to strengthen belief however it is not a good argument if you have no belief in God.