The Design Argument for the existence of God.
The Design Argument The Design Argument for the existence of God is often known as the Teleological Argument; telos meaning 'end' or 'purpose' in Greek. It is a posteriori argument based on observation of the apparent evidence of order, purpose and regularity in the universe, which makes the world appear to be designed. Such design implies a designer and this serves as a basis for the belief in God, the grand designer of the world, the universe and all that is in them. This argument makes the basic assumption that design does exist in the universe and that all things have a specific purpose and can be divided into two categories: design qua regularity and design qua purpose. Design qua regularity looks at design in relation to the order and regularity in the universe (e.g. cycles, seasons). Philosophers who support this argument consider that the order and regularity shown in the universe is evidence of a designer at work. Thomas Aquinas' Teleological argument argued from design qua regularity in the fifth of his Five Ways. Taken from the governance of the world, Aquinas argues that since those things that lack knowledge seem to innately act towards a beneficial end, and this is evident from the regularity seen in the universe - how things always or nearly always act in the same way to obtain the best result. Hence, it can be concluded that they reach their end designedly.
Teleological Argument.
Teleological Argument: I.) The basic premise, of all teleological arguments for the existence of God, is that the world exhibits an intelligent purpose based on experience from nature such as its order, unity, coherency, design and complexity. Hence, there must be an intelligent designer to account for the observed intelligent purpose and order that we can observe. ii.) Paley's teleological argument is based on an analogy: Watchmaker is to watch as God is to universe. Just as a watch, with its intelligent design and complex function must have been created by an intelligent maker: an intelligent and powerful creator must have greeted a watchmaker, the universe, with all its complexity and greatness. Therefore a watchmaker is to watch as God is to universe. II) Paley's Teleological Argument: .) Human artefacts are products of intelligent design. 2.) The universe resembles human artefacts. 3.) Therefore the universe is a product of intelligent design. 4.) But the universe is complex and gigantic, in comparison to human artefacts. 5.) Therefore, there probably is a powerful and vastly intelligent designer who created the universe. William Paley (1743-1805) was a British philosopher-theologian. During his lifetime, paley was both a professor of philosophy and a minister. The teleological argument is sometime called the Design argument. Even if you have never
R.E. Medical issues
Religious Education Coursework Ahmed Al-Rubie 10s Coursework - Religion and Medical Issues A i) Medical treatments for infertility have come a long way over the past decade offering the possibility of parenthood to most couples seeking medical intervention. While the process of selecting a medical practice for fertility treatment can often be a confusing and emotionally draining experience for couples faced with infertility, the choices you make about your medical care can profoundly affect your future. Medical technology has provided many solutions for couples in the modern world which are known as embryo technology - all at a price of course. They are the following: IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) - is of Latin origin. It's basically a method of assisted reproduction that involves combining an egg with sperm in a laboratory dish. If the egg fertilizes and begins cell division, the resulting embryo is transferred into the woman's uterus where it will hopefully implant in the uterine lining and further develop. The woman's partner's sperm or a donor may be used. AIH (artificial insemination by husband): A procedure in which a fine tube is inserted through the cervix into the uterus to deposit a sperm sample from the woman's mate directly into the uterus. AIH is distinguished from artificial insemination by donor (AID) in which the donor is a man other than the woman's
Outline the design argument for the existence of God?
The teleological argument for the existence of God a) Outline the design argument for the existence of God? (7 marks) The design argument is also known as the teleological argument, the word telos meaning 'end' or 'purpose.' It infers the existence of God from a specific aspect or character of the world, mostly the presence of order, purpose and regularity. These are seen as marks of design, and the argument concludes it must be God who was the source of the latter. Evidence used is often the solar system, with the planets revolving in their set orbits, and also the human eye. This evidence means that it is an a posteriori argument, meaning it is based on observation, which could easily be deceptive, is limited and can be open to several different interpretations. This means there will always be a measure of doubt. The argument has two parts, design qua regularity and design qua purpose, qua meaning 'as relating to.' The two most prominent philosophers in advocating the design argument are Aquinas (associated with design qua regularity) and Paley (associated with both parts.) A more recent version of the argument has been developed by Tennant and accepted by Swinburne, and this is known as the Anthropic Principle. Before looking in detail at the various types of the argument, it is important to establish the basics of the design argument for the existence of God.
Outline the key features of the cosmological argument for the existence of God?
Outline the key features of the cosmological argument for the existence of God? The word Cosmological argument comes from the word cosmos, which refers to the world or universe as a well-organized and perfect system. The cosmological argument is a classic argument, which tries to prove the existence of God, and this argument is based on the fact that the world's existence needs to be explained. The cosmological argument is an argument that starts from the existence of the universe, to try and prove that God exists. To answer this, we should first try and answer this question: Why is there a universe? It was either put there or it has always existed, but no one knows for sure. But there must be a reason that the universe exists, either it is infinite and has always existed, or someone must have put it there to begin with. This we call God, so we call God the prime mover i.e. the creator. A contingent being is referred to as us, humans, as we all have a beginning and an end. A necessary being is referred to as God, as he is infinite. God is seen as the uncaused cause who is the cause of all the other causes. Thomas Aquinas gave his explanation of this by saying "Everything we see is subject to motion, which is a broad term for change, movement and so on." Which is saying we can only can prove things exist by using our senses to see them, this is the way we can also prove
Cosmological argument
"Describe the main strengths and weaknesses of the cosmological argument. To what extent do the weaknesses of this argument limit its effectiveness." The cosmological argument aims to provide a method of proving god exists by using the logic that there had to be a first cause in the Universe. This was first proposed by St. Thomas Aquinas in the first three of his Five Ways. His first way of trying to prove God's existence was motion or change. What he says is that in the world things are in motion or changing. Whatever is in motion must have been moved by something else. There can be no infinite regress of motion, therefore there must have been a first Mover which itself as unmoved. This Unmoved Mover began this chain of movement and this Mover was God. Something cannot move or change itself as it would have to be actual and potential at the same time. An object has the potential to move but does not actually move until something causes it do so. For example, wood has the potential to be hot but it is not until it has been set alight. However, the First Way goes against Newton's first law of motion, in which movement can be explained by a body's own inertia from previous motion. This was proposed by Anthony Kenny, who goes on further to say that it goes against the simple fact that people and animals move themselves. Therefore, it would seem that Kenny "wrecks
Sanctity of Life
When we talk of the 'sanctity of life' we mean that life is not to be treated badly or discarded thoughtlessly. In terms of human life this often relates to our views on abortion, euthanasia and war etc. Some people believe human life is to respected above all other forms of life whilst others believe that all life (both human and non-human species) is to be given equal respect and treated as 'sacred' (special). Most religions believe humans are special. For instance, they teach that we have a soul (a part of us that lives on after death), and that we have been given an opportunity to have a relationship with God. Some religions, such as Judaism and Christianity, also teach that humans have been created in 'God's image'. This means that humans have certain qualities and characteristics that God has (E.g. They can make things, they have the ability to reason things, they were created good). It is also believed that humans have been given a responsibility to look after the world God created. The following passages from the Bible illustrate the special nature of humans: 'Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move on the ground. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and
Problem of evil
The problem of Evil The strongest philosophical argument against God's existence is the problem of natural evil. Of all the atheistic arguments, this is the one that has been around for longest, that has had the most words written about it, and that draws the most diverse responses from Christians. Moral evil is not a problem to believers as they can live with the fact that God gave human beings free will and in so created moral evil. Moral evil is the evil that is created by being that has thought the action though and knows what is going to happen. In brief, the problem is that the traditional conception of God is as omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and benevolent (all kind and loving) being. This implies that if God exists then he knows how to, wants to, and is able to prevent all suffering. If such a God existed, though, then he actually would prevent all suffering. Suffering, though, is a familiar part of the world around us; it has not been prevented. There is, therefore, no omniscient, omnipotent, and benevolent God. I feel that the existence of evil proves or at least undermines the idea of an omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and benevolent (all kind and loving) God. This does not mean that there is not a creator of the universe; I just feel there cannot be a God that would not stop the huge amounts of violence that is
The Problem of Evil
a)Explain how Augustine and Irenaeus account for the existence of moral evil (33) The Bishop Augustine was influenced by Neo-Platonist's beliefs which are evident in Augustine's Theodicy where he states that the misuse of free will resulted in evil within the world. Augustine explained the origins of the existence of evil with two Biblical examples, firstly Lucifer's rebellion resulting in the fall of the angels and secondly Adam and Eves temptation and consequent rebellion against God in the Garden of Eden. Augustine argues that God isn't responsible for evil in the world as he sees evil as 'a privation' of a thing in which part of the created order leaves its pre-destined path and no longer carries out its rightful intentions as intended by God. He believes that God's creation was unburdened by defects and was free form flaws as a perfect God created it Augustine referenced Genesis 1 "All God has made pleased him" thus showing that evil and suffering were unknown of. Illustrating that it was not part of Gods plan to place evil and suffering in the world and is therefore not his responsibility as evil is necessary and so subsequent to change therefore only an uncreated God can be perfect. He does not believe that evil was a substance created by God as for him this would be illogical as he relies upon the assumption that God's creation was perfect and faultless. Therefore
The problem of evil.
THE PROBLEM OF EVIL The problem of evil is usually seen as the problem of how the existence of God can be reconciled with the existence of evil in the world. There are two versions of the problem. The logical version is based on the apparent contradiction involved in holding onto four incompatible beliefs. This being that God is omnipotent, that God is omniscient, that God is omnibenevolent and that evil exists in the world. It is seen that the existence of any form of evil prevents the existence of God. The probabilistic version takes the stance that given the amount of evil that exists its unlikely God exists, this suggests that if there was fewer instances of evil or lower extremes of evil its plausible to suppose God's existence. The fact that evil exists in the world constitutes the most common objection to the belief in the existence of the omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing) and all loving God of Classical Theism. One would expect an omnibenevolent being armed with omnipotence and omniscience to prevent evil and suffering in the world or rather, as creator, never to have put there in the first place. There have been attempts to solve the problem of evil by many theologians and philosophers. This is done by questioning the truth of any of the premises involved in the argument. The premises involved in the argument are as follows: ) God is