Teleological
Argument/argument from
design
Albert Einstein said ‘ When I
see all the glories of the
cosmos, I cannot help to
believe that there was a
divine hand behind it all.’
(Awe inspiring)
By the end of the lesson you
should be able to…



explain William Paley’s watch analogy and how
it relates to the idea of design
understand the design (teleological) argument
for the existence of God
appreciate and discuss some of the strengths
and weaknesses of the argument
Key words:
1.Cosmological Argument – first cause
2.Teleological Argument – argument
from design
3.Purpose – things appear to be
connected
4.William Paley – watch analogy
5.Isaac Newton – thumb print
6.Richard Dawkins – Atheist/scientist
7.Thomas Aquinas – Cosmological
Argument
Design
Which of
these
three is
the odd
one out?
What is design?

When things are
connected and
seem to have a
purpose: for
example the eye
is designed for
seeing.
What evidence is there of
design in the world?
Evidence
of design
in the
world
Draw the following table
Aspect of the
world/universe
The whole universe
Evidence
of Design
or 
Reason
Can’t have just happened by
chance
Is this evidence for purposeful
design in world??
The
Complexity
of nature?
Spiral
Galaxy
disk containing
stars, gas and
dust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr7wNQw12l8
Is this evidence for purposeful
design in world??
Isaac
Newton’s
thumb
The
Complexity
of nature
‘In the absence
The
human
immune
system
of any other
proof, the
thumb alone
would convince
me of the
existence of
God’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrYlZJiuf18
Is this evidence for purposeful
design in world?
The
Complexity of
nature
O2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t4sdgvy-pk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOFH6oWP5SY
CO2
Is this evidence for purposeful
design in world??
The
Complexity
of nature?
DNA - the blueprint of life
(Double Helix Structure)
Is this evidence for purposeful
design in world??
The
Complexity
of nature?
blend in with
their
surroundings.
Key ‘chap’ William Paley
He said,
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Imagine finding a watch in the street, if you had never seen
one before
On examining it, you would be amazed at its complicated
inner workings
You might assume there must have been a watchmaker who
designed and put it together.
It’s the same when you look at the world. It is designed, it is
ordered, it is intricate
It could not have been made by chance. It is so complicated
yet everything fits perfectly into place
Therefore the world needs a world-maker/creator
This creator is God
This explains the design in the world
To do…
1.
Draw a watch and in your own
words explain Paley’s Watch
argument for the existence of God.
2.
Create a flow diagram to explain
how the appearance of design may
lead to, or support, belief in God.
Problems with the design
argument??
Bad
design?
Cruelty
Natural
Disasters
Designer
= God(s)
Psychopaths
Disease
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcvSNg0HZwk
Problems with the design
argument
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9002284641446868316#docid=-8675713685999107466
Let Richard Dawkins explain (14-18)
 His message is based on the work of
Charles Darwin who said that humans
evolved through a mechanism of
natural selection.
 The animals that survive adapt to the
environment better.
 Can you think of an example: Explain
how evolution worked for this animal.
Demonstrate your learning
What are the problems with the
argument?
 Explain what you think about the
design argument?

Homework – due next lesson
‘The design argument proves that God
exists’
i.
Do you agree? Give reasons for
your opinion
ii. Give reasons why some people may
disagree with you…
6 mark question – How your marks are calculated.
Level 0
0
No evidence submitted or response does not address the
question.
Level 1
1-2
A weak attempt to answer the question.
Candidates will demonstrate little understanding of the question.
 A small amount of relevant information may be included
 Answers may be in the form of a list with little or no
description/explanation/analysis
 There will be little or no use of specialist terms
 Answers may be ambiguous or disorganised
 Errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling may be intrusive
Level 2
3-4
A satisfactory answer to the question.
Candidates will demonstrate some understanding of the
question.
 Information will be relevant but may lack specific detail
 There will be some description/explanation/analysis although
this may not be fully developed
 The information will be presented for the most part in a
structured format
 Some use of specialist terms, although these may not always
be used appropriately
 There may be errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation
Level 3
5-6
A good answer to the question.
 Candidates will demonstrate a clear
understanding of the question.
 A fairly complete and full
description/explanation/analysis
 A comprehensive account of the range and
depth of relevant material.
 The information will be presented in a
structured format
 There will be significant, appropriate and
correct use of specialist terms.
 There will be few if any errors in spelling,
grammar and punctuation
Pretend you are God and write a
response to this prayer
Dear Lord,
Why is there so
much trouble
in the world?
Please can you
come down
and sort it out!
What is the
main problem
with praying?
How do Christians
respond to this?