The Design Argument Analysis

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Explain the fundamental principles of the Design argument. a) The Design argument is an empirical argument that aims to prove the existence of God through design. The argument is a teleological argument, this derives from the Greek word 'telos' meaning 'end' or 'goal'. The argument is also an a posteriori argument meaning it is based upon experience. The argument was first developed 2500 years ago in Ancient Greece. Prominent Greek philosopher Socrates realised that certain body parts aid other body parts, for example the eye lids protecting the eye balls. Aquinas put forward 5 ways to prove the existence of a God. The 5th of these 5 ways is design, this way states that all natural bodies seem to be working towards a purpose or goal.…show more content…
Paley uses the watch analogy to show purpose. He depicts a man walking along who finds a rock, the man presumes that it must have came about through natural circumstances. The man then finds a watch and concludes it is there due to a designer as it is far too complex to be there by chance. Paley wrote that there is obvious regularity in the universe, for example gravity which can not have came about by chance. If gravity was slightly stronger or weaker on earth, earth would not be able to sustain human life, the fact it is perfect hints that there is a designer at…show more content…
Aquinas states that most natural bodies are not intelligent enough to work towards this goal by themselves and are directed instinctively by a designer, God. Mill, on the other hand criticises the design argument by saying that the crimes nature commits can not be forgotten and are a clear indicator that no benevolent designer/God can possibly exist because of them. He states that humans would not go unpunished for the same vicious crimes committed by nature, he says that if there is a designer, he/she is ruthless and therefore is not the classical God that so many people believe
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