The Theory Of The Design Argument - 1201 Words

Philosophy Test 1 Essay 1: In addition to the two criticisms that Hume makes of the design argument that are described in this chapter, Hume presents a third. He says that even if the design argument succeeds in showing that a designer made the universe (or the organisms in it), the argument does not succeed in establishing what characteristics that designer has. For this reason, the argument does not show that God exists. Is Hume’s claim correct? How seriously does this undermine the design argument? I think that Hume’s claim that the design argument does not succeed in establishing what characteristics the designer has is valid. Paley’s design argument poses the existence of the watch on the beach as if the person who found the watch had no knowledge of what a watch was (Sober, pg. 55). If the person comes to the conclusion that it is more plausible for this unknown piece of machinery to have a designer than come together of random actions, then the person is coming to that conclusion without ever seeing or having observed a watchmaker. This can be seen as a direct analogy between the watchmaker and the watch and the universe and a creator. If the beachgoer in Paley’s argument had no knowledge of what the watch was, how would they know what a watchmaker was? The finder of the watch on the beach may be able to assume that someone made this piece of machinery, but without that finder having knowledge of what a watch or watchmaker is, there is no way for the finder toShow MoreRelatedThe Design Argument : The Theory Argument1608 Words   |  7 PagesThe Design Argument In the past hundred years, a great debate has shaken the foundation religious and scientific beliefs of society. Philosophers have been arguing about such a debate for hundreds of years, but there does not seem to be any consensus on whether on the existence of god and the universe. The ancient world never battled over such questions, rather they had accepted the fact that the natural world was created by some being. However, as society made major advancements, the questionRead MoreDisputes Over the the Design Argument and The Theory of Evolution603 Words   |  2 PagesThe debate between the Design Argument and The Theory of Evolution has garnered endless disputes. The Design Argument, DA, is the argument that a higher entity exists and that he designed all life sources with a purpose in mind. Charles conceived the Theory of Evolution, TE. His theory was not assembled to explain the origin of life; it was to explain the origin of species. The fine-tuning argument is a rebuttal that I will also be discussing thoroughly. The Design Argument attempts to explain thatRead MoreTwo Philosophical Arguments for the Existence of God1460 Words   |  6 Pagesphilosophical arguments for the existence of God. Throughout the course of this essay we shall examine two of the major philosophical arguments for the existence of God. The arguments that we are going to focus on shall be the Design argument and the Ontological argument. We shall compare, evaluate and discuss both the Design (or teleological) argument for the existence of God and the Ontological Argument for the existence of God, as well as highlighting philosophical criticisms of both theories too. ByRead 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 MoreIntelligent Design Versus Aquinas Motion And Causation737 Words   |  3 PagesIntelligent Design versus Aquinas Motion and Causation Intelligent design Theory The theory of intelligent design theory holds that an intelligent cause and not an indirect process best explain the nature of living things and the universal features. The theory appreciates that, for the existence of the universe and the living things in it, there must have been in existence an intelligent force. The theorist are not out to show proof of the intelligent designer or who the intelligent designerRead MoreDarwinists and Dissenters1535 Words   |  7 Pageswho believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution has been fierce. Each side presents compelling arguments that may sway any uneducated reader to agree with their position based solely on the confidence they portray in their writings. However, because of the vastness and strength of evidence presented by the proponents of modern evolutionary theory, Darwinists have proved their point much greater than those who argue in favor of Intelligent Design. In this essay, four arguments will be presented; two thatRead MoreTh e Design Argument For The Existence Of God1286 Words   |  6 PagesONE The design argument for the existence of God follows the model: 1) In nature, things appear to work together for a clear purpose. 2) The best explanation for these relationships is that God designed these things. 3) Therefore, God exists, as he was the one who designed nature. This argument contends that an intelligent designer of the world does exist, and structured the universe so that most natural things fit together for a clear purpose. We can recognize that things in nature seemRead MoreCreationism vs. Darwinism: A Comparative Analysis1530 Words   |  6 Pagesdetermine basis for creationist beliefs. Additionally, Darwinism is explored and the differences between Creationism and Darwinism are analyzed. Despite overwhelming evidence that supports the existence and validity of Darwinism, there are still arguments made that attempt to discredit evolution. The battle between Creationists and Darwinists extends beyond science and religion and has proliferated academia. Although this issue has often been presented before the courts at a federal level, CreationistsRead MoreThe Argument Of God s Existence1737 Words   |  7 Pagesdiscuss arguments in support of God’s existence as well as philosopher H.J McCloskey’s article On Being an Atheist . Within McCloskey’s article he refers to three well known theist arguments as proofs the cosmological, teleological and argument from design. The Cosmological argument is a deductive argument that assumes every fact must have an explanation and comes to the conclusion â€Å"the uncaused cause must be God† (Slick, 2013). On the other hand the teleological as well as the argument from designRead MoreThe Controversy Of The Arkansas Trial1472 Words   |  6 Pagesfalsifiable theories that creationists made. Gilkey and Ruse were a couple of the philosophers however, that agreed with the decision arguing that creation science failed to comply with the standards of science especially through its conclusion of an unexplainable divine creator. In this essay, I will discuss the arguments that aid the demarcation of science from nonscience, and ultimately conclude with an Religious Association Throughout the Arkansas trial one of the most significant argument that greatly