Explain the Teleological Arguments for the Existence of...

Explain the Teleological arguments The word teleological originates from the Greek ‘telos’ meaning end or purpose. It infers the existence of God from a particular aspect or character of the world, namely the presence of order, regularity and purpose, and thus, is most commonly known as the design argument; it postulates the idea of a designer for all that has been designed. As its name suggests, the teleological argument attempts to seek the ultimate end or purpose. Furthermore, the teleological argument holds the belief that this designer is the primary cause of such existences, and is therefore what Aristotle would believe to be the ‘uncaused cause’, the ‘unmoved mover’. It is never assumed that this initial cause could be God, yet†¦show more content†¦Thus, there must be a superior being, big enough to create a supreme artefact such as the universe. Finally, David Hume likened the world to ‘one great machine subdivided into an infinite number of lesser machines’. This theory however leads to the philosophy that similar effects require a similar cause. Through the thrust of Hume’s argument, he introduces us to two characters that express the argument for design; whilst a third, namely Philo, criticises the argument. Swinburne identifies the argument from design and the argument to design, also known as the anthropic argument. The former form usually involves analogy, and the latter, argues that nature provides for the needs of intelligent beings. This would however, require an extreme intelligence such as God. The heart of this argument is that non-intelligent material things produce beneficial order and therefore require an intelligent being to elicit this. Three features of the world particularly impressed eighteenth century thinkers; firstly the world as a whole, specifically the solar system as described by Newton’s gravitational theory. Secondly, the bodily forms of all animals and plants, in particular organs such as the eye. Finally, the providential arrangement of things on earth amazed eighteenth century philosophers. This leads us back to the design argument for the pocket watch, an aspect that also impressed people at the time; it was a new invention and a clear sign of breakthrough inShow MoreRelatedExamine the Key Features of the Teleological Argument?1491 Words   |  6 PagesExamine the key features of the Teleological argument. The word teleological comes from the Greek word ‘Telos’ which means purpose. The teleological argument is a posteriori and like the cosmological argument, attempts to prove the existence of God. It claims that certain phenomena within the universe appear to display features of design and are perfectly adapted to fulfil their function. Therefore, if features of the universe are so perfectly designed, for example the structure and function ofRead MoreThe Cosmological Argument For The Existence Of God Essay1556 Words   |  7 Pagesconcerning the existence of God. If God exists, we probably have to make him accountable. The universe would probably have a meaning and a purpose. Also, our very existence may not be cease after physical death. But if God does not exist, we are probably here by chance and we have no accountability to any transcendent. This life is probably all we have, so we should live as we please. The question arises - Does God exist? At first glance, it see ms contradictory to prove the existence of somethingRead MoreEssay on The Existence Of God908 Words   |  4 PagesMost Popular Arguments For The Existence Of God The Ontological Argument One of the most important attempts to demonstrate the existence of God is the ontological argument of Saint Anselm, an 11th-century theologian. Anselm’s argument maintains that God, defined as the greatest being that can be conceived, must exist, since a being that does not exist would by virtue of that fact lack an attribute that contributes to its greatness. Critics have questioned, however, whether existence actually contributesRead MoreTeleological Arguments Essay849 Words   |  4 Pages The argument from design or the teleological argument points to the existence of order and direction in nature to a kind of purpose. The argument essentially proves the existence of God. A designer must exist because the universe and living things exhibit marks of design in their complexity. Design-type arguments are unproblematic when based upon things nature plainly could not or would not produce, like human artifacts. If designs entail a designer, and the universe shows marks of design, thenRead MoreEssay about The Characteristics of God1108 Words   |  5 PagesThe Characteristics of God In Section eleven of An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding Hume argues that if a teleological argument is sufficient proof for a god, then that god must have deficiencies in morality, power, benevolence and intelligence. I will present Hume’s argument and the subsequent objections he considers. As well, I will defend Hume’s final position by giving my best objection to it and explaining how that objection fails. Hume chooses to speak about the matter in the style ofRead MoreOn Being an Atheist, by H.J. McCloskey Essay1233 Words   |  5 Pagesinto both the Cosmological and Teleological arguments, which within he criticizes the arguments and to further his argument against theism, he also presents the Problem of Evil and why evil cannot possibly exist with a perfect God being the creator of universe. What will be displayed in this essay are the counter-arguments to McCloskey’s criticisms and the attempt to discredit his claims that regard the â€Å"comfortable† position that lies within atheism and its arguments. H.J. McCloskey utilizesRead MoreThe Teleological Argument For The Existence Of Intelligent Design1273 Words   |  6 PagesThe teleological argument successfully provides proof for the existence of intelligent design by utilizing intricate scientific data in order to demonstrate intent and purpose in the creation of the universe, as opposed to random and highly improbable occurrences. The purpose of the teleological argument is to present complex details of the universe as evidence that it was designed by an intelligent mind. It suggests that since the universe is so compound and full of fine-tuned intricacies, thereRead MoreWilliam Paley And David Hume1260 Words   |  6 Pagesthe most prominent philosophical arguments that remains today is the debate on the existence of God or an Intelligent Designer. This debate dates back a time of many Gods and deities during the era of Socrates, Plato and their students, including Aristotle. This discussion will focus on the differing works of authors William Paley and David Hume and I will argue that there is an Intelligent Designer for our universe. William Paley believes in the existence of God and that through his watchmakerRead MoreEssay on The Argument from Design, by William Paley1089 Words   |  5 Pageswrote the essay The Argument from Design. In The Argument from Design, Paley tries to prove the existence of a supreme being through the development of a special kind of argument known as the teleological argument. The teleological argument is argument by analogy, an argument based on the similarities between two different subjects. This essay purposefully attempts to break down Paley’s argument and does so in the following manner: firstly, Paley’s basis for the teleological argument is introduced; secondlyRead MoreCritical Analysis of McCloskey’s Arguement in On Being an Athiest1262 Words   |  6 Pagesbelieves in no God. Therefore, they would not believe such spiritual warfare exists. The author of this response would like to state that the arguments could not be proofs. Nothing can be 100% proven. To state something is a proof when it does not prove anything but cause arguments, is a fallacy. McCloskey believes the arguments individually cannot make a case for God. In lesson 18, the cumulative case was presented. The Cumulative case takes the Cosmological, Teleological, and Moral