null
US
Sign In
Sign Up for Free
Sign Up
We have detected that Javascript is not enabled in your browser. The dynamic nature of our site means that Javascript must be enabled to function properly. Please read our
terms and conditions
for more information.
Next up
Copy and Edit
You need to log in to complete this action!
Register for Free
63371
Teleological argument
Description
Theology (Philosophy) Mind Map on Teleological argument, created by Conor Smith on 30/04/2013.
No tags specified
philosophy
theology
theology
philosophy
Mind Map by
Conor Smith
, updated more than 1 year ago
More
Less
Created by
Conor Smith
over 11 years ago
331
2
0
Resource summary
Teleological argument
Philosophers
Strengths
Kant (1724-1804)
Swinburne (1934)
Hawkins (1942)
Aquinas (1225-1274)
Paley (1743-1803)
Tennent (1886-1957)
Aesthetic argument - The beauty of the world is proof of intelligent design
Used as a response to Darwin's explanation of design through chance
Beauty exists in the world
Beauty therefore requires a desinger
This designer is God
"Beauty is the lost thought of theology (David Fod)
Criticisms
Hume (1711-1776)
Mill (1806-1873)
Darwin (1809-1873)
Dawkins (1941)
Background
God of classical theism... Omni's
Comes from the Greek word "telos" meaning 'end' or 'purpose'
"The oldest, the clearest and most accordant with the common reason of mankind"
Complexity, regularity and evidence of purpose point towards a desinger
Key features
a posteriori
Based on empirical evidence
Inductive
An example of 'natural theology' (using reason and the world around us to establish the existence of God
Basic argument
Such design implies a designer
The designer of the world is God
The world has order, purpose, benefit, regularity and suitable for life
This shows evidence of design
Thomas Aquinas
5th of five ways
Analogy of the archer and the arrow
Based on Aristotles understanding of biological process
"whatever lacks knowledge cannot move towards an end, unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence... this being God"
William paley
The watch analogy
The human eye
used reason to defend God (Christian apologist)
Order, complexity, regularity and interaction shown in the watch cannot come down to chance
F.R.Tennet/R.Swinburne
The world contains human beings
"Nature is meaningless and valueless without God behind it and man in front"
Used as a response to the theory of evolution by Darwin
The world was designed to support life
Such conditions cannot be rationally attributed to chance
These conditions must have been designed
the designer was God
General comments
General criticisms
Inductive arguments can never establish proof; they can only establish probability
The argument rests upon an inductive gap
The existence of God is not an empirical hypothesis it is not provable
General Strengths
The design argument, an inductive argument, follows strict philosophical logic (premise, premise, conclusion)
The argument is cumulative - the more we inspect nature, the more we see evidence of complexity
The argument, which is an example of natural theology based upon reason, compliments the claims made within revealed theology. (The book of Genesis)
Further strengths
The argument compliments the notion of the God of classical theism
Provides an answer to one of life's most searching existential questions, "why/how are we here?"
Combines strength of scientific knowledge with explanatory theory
Show full summary
Hide full summary
Want to create your own
Mind Maps
for
free
with GoConqr?
Learn more
.
Similar
Breakdown of Philosophy
rlshindmarsh
Who did what now?...Ancient Greek edition
Chris Clark
Reason and Experience Plans
rlshindmarsh
The Cosmological Argument
Summer Pearce
AS Philosophy Exam Questions
Summer Pearce
Philosophy of Art
mccurryby
"The knower's perspective is essential in the pursuit of knowledge." To what extent do you agree?
nataliaapedraza
The Ontological Argument
daniella0128
Religious Experience
alexandramchugh9
Chapter 6: Freedom vs. Determinism Practice Quiz
Kristen Gardner
Environmental Ethics
Jason Edwards-Suarez
Browse Library