Chapter 7: The Teleological Argument
Essential terminology
Assumption
Cause
Effect
Endemic
Inference
Natural laws
Natural selection
Telos
Key Scholars
Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274)
David Hume (1711–1776)
William Paley (1743–1805)
Thomas Malthus (1766–1834)
John Stuart Mill (1806–1873)
Charles Darwin (1809–1882)
A posteriori
A priori
TELOS AND TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENTS
THE TYPES OF TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT
TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENTS BY THOMAS AQUINAS
Argument by regularity
Aristotle and Aquinas
WEAKNESSES IN AQUINAS’ ARGUMENT
WILLIAM PALEY’S TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT
What does the watch analogy show?
The difference between arguments from regularity and from purpose
How is Paley’s argument different from that of Aquinas?
CRITICISMS OF PALEY’S ARGUMENT
DAVID HUME’S CRITICISM OF TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENTS
Why David Hume rejected the use of analogy to prove the teleological argument
Why David Hume argues that there are other possible explanations than God for
apparent design in the universe
Why Hume argues that random activity can lead to orderliness rather than disorder
Ockham’s Razor
WHERE DO HUME’S IDEAS LEAVE THE TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT?
MILL AND TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENTS
DARWIN’S GREAT IDEA
The voyage of the Beagle
Thomas Malthus’ idea
Natural selection
How does natural selection relate to the teleological argument?
IS THE GOD OF THE TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT ANYTHING LIKE THE CHRISTIAN IDEA OF
GOD?