Lecture Notes: Teleological Argument and Intelligent Design

Introduction

• Crash Course Philosophy sponsored by Squarespace.
• Historical attempts to argue for the existence of God including:
  • Ontological argument by Anselm.
  • Cosmological arguments by Aquinas.
• Modern philosophers find these arguments inconsistent with the scientific understanding.
• Focus on a fifth argument: the Teleological Argument, popularized by William Paley.

The Teleological Argument

• Also known as Intelligent Design.
• William Paley's Argument by Analogy:
  • Analogy: Comparing Situation A (known) to Situation B (unknown).
  • Watchmaker Analysis: Finding a watch implies a maker due to its complexity and purposeful design.
• Teleology: Goal-oriented or purposeful design in objects.
  • Example: A mug with a handle and design for holding liquid.

Paley's Analogy Applied to Living Organisms

• Complexity of human body likened to a watch.
• Elements of the natural world operating in harmony imply a designer.
• Belief that purposeful designs in the world suggest belief in God.

Objections to the Teleological Argument

• Counterarguments and Disanalogies:
  • Objects in nature not as clearly designed as watches.
  • Blind spots in human vision as an example of flawed design.
• Purpose and Function:
  • Some natural features lack obvious purpose, e.g., male nipples.
• Human-Invented Purposes:
  • Bertrand Russell's critique on finding arbitrary purposes in things.

Alternative Explanations

• Natural Selection:
  • Evolution provides an alternative explanation for complexity and functionality of living beings.
• David Hume's Critique:
  • Points out natural flaws and cruelty imply a flawed creator.

Modern Defenses

• Richard Swinburne's Probability Argument:
  • Argues for a higher probability of God as a designer.
• Fine-Tuning Arguments:
  • Accepts Big Bang and evolution but argues for precise conditions set by God for life.

Criticism of Modern Defenses

• Sample Size Issue:
  • Probability claims questioned due to a single Earth as a sample.

Conclusion

• Overview of the teleological argument, objections, and responses.
• Next topic: Considering the nature of God, if God exists.

Additional Information

• Sponsored by Squarespace for website creation.
• Produced in association with PBS Digital Studios, with contributions from Thought Cafe graphics team.