Teleological argumentsfor God’s existence

Derived from the Greek terms telos (end or goal) and logos (reason or rational account).

First developed by ancient Greek and Indian philosophers, the argument takes a variety of forms.

The common theme among them all is that the means/ends order which exists in the natural world is best explained by purposeful design.

1. Artifacts (such as a watch), with their means to ends configurations, are the products of (human)design

2. Works of nature, such as the human hand, resemble artifacts

3. Thus, the works of nature are probably the products of design

4. Furthermore, the works of nature are numerous and complex

5. Therefore, the works of nature were probably produced by a grand designer – one much more powerful and intelligent than a human designer

HumeThe analogy used is not strongThe world is finite and defective, so the

Designer must beThe universe might be the result of mere

chanceDarwin

EvolutionLiving organisms are the products of natural

processes, not of a Designer

Robin Collins argues that cosmic constants of the cosmos seem to be “balanced on a razor’s edge” for the existence of life:

The strength of the big bang The strength of the strong nuclear force The strength of gravity The size of the neutron The strength of the electromagnetic force

1. The fine-tuning of the universe happened either by chance, necessity, or intelligent design

2. The fine-tuning of the universe did not happen by chance or necessity

3. Therefore, the fine-tuning of the universe happened by intelligent design

The many universe hypothesisOur universe – one of many – is fortuitously

life-permitting The weak anthropic principle

We should not be surprised that the universe is life-permitting; we could not come to this realization of it were not

Who designed the Designer?The mind of the Designer must display the

evidences of design as well, and so would need an explanation

DembskiExplanatory filterSpecified complexity

1. If the universe is complex and specified, then it is reasonable to conclude that it is the result of design

2. The universe is complex and specified3. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that the

universe is the result of design

BeheIrreducible complexityMousetrap analogyBacterial flagellum

The intelligent design argument rests on contentious philosophical assumptions rather than on scientific inference

Challenges to alleged examples of irreducible complexity

Does it make sense to affirm the existence of a grand intelligent designer of the universe given that much of what we find on planet earth, for example, does not seem to reflect “optimal design”? Explain your answer.

Create your own argument from analogy. What are its strengths? What are its weaknesses? Do these strengths and weaknesses apply to the design argument from analogy?

Are evolution and creation(design) compatible? Explain your answer.