Design arguments for God's existence

Paley: key quotes

- 'The inference is inevitable, that the watch must have a maker' (Natural Theology 1802)

Strength's of Paley's teleological argument

- It is evident that Paley creates a more developed and updated version of Aquinas' argument as he explores both purpose and regularity here. - Nevertheless, it's important to point out that Paley does respond to these criticisms and accepts that we cannot fully understand God. Yet, he still defends God's omnipotence which is his core attribute.

Weaknesses of Paley's argument

- One weakness with these arguments is that some natural things within the world don't have a purpose or perhaps they have poor design. This is supported by scholar Bertrand Russell who argued that some things in the world have no beneficial purpose and if humans attempt to create purpose, then there is no real God. But, if this is the case then this highlights how God is an incompetent designer (like Hume suggested) and therefore, this already clearly shows how Paley's teleological argument does not successfully defend the existence of God. - Hume challenged Paley's use of analogies to support his argument. According to Hume, it is not necessarily true that the world is like a watch. He argued that it might be true that the world looks as if it has been designed, but it is harder to say whether the world has these characteristics. He thus argues that the use of analogies is not adequate. Indeed, Hume stated 'the world plainly resembles more an animal or a vegetable than it does a watch.' - One weakness of Paley's argument is that his analogy arguments are weak as they are linked to a deity - God, whom we cannot fully understand and formulate a causal link. - Also, in some ways, Richard Swinburne supports Paley's argument as he states that God exists. However, he dismisses Paley's argument in the sense that he says that it's just more statistically likely that God designed the world rather than it randomly coming into existence. He says that that it's not 100% certain; just more likely than not. Instead, Swinburne argues that we should focus on the positive impact that belief in God has in people's lives. - Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins' also criticises Paley's teleological argument. He says that the theory of natural selection and evolution provides a more sufficient explanation for the creation of the living world without the need for a designer. Dawkins' stated that evolution happens as a result of mutations in the DNA and he also says that this process is 'blind'; it has no purpose/telos. Hence, Dawkins comes to the conclusion that there is no evidence that the world is designed by a divine designer - God. Modern supporters of the teleological argument by respond to this by accepting the scientific evidence of these criticisms, but God puts the conditions into place for these purposes

Paley's design 'qua regularity' argument

Paley suggested that there are consistent patterns of regularity in non-thinking beings in the natural world. He argued that this is evidence that a designer - divine being created the universe as God put this regularity and order into place deliberately. An example of this regularity is the seasons of the year that happen with order. Paley called this 'design qua regularity' argument; he also extended this argument to astronomy. For example, the rotation and gravity of planets are ordered, which is an indication of God's design according to Paley.

Paley's 'design qua purpose' argument

Paley's second argument, the 'design qua purpose' argument. Paley suggested that these things that have been deliberately put together have a purpose. For example, the eye has been constructed deliberately with the purpose of sight and also the purpose of a bird's wing is to fly. In addition, cells are intricate and must have a designer. According to Paley, this purpose that we observe in the natural world is clearly suggestive of a designer who has designed it with that purpose mind, who is God.

The watchmaker analogy

Proposed by William Paley. Example of the Teleological argument: The complex inner workings of a watch necessitate an intelligent designer. Counter argument is natural selection. Paley developed the watch analogy to further illustrate his point about purpose. Firstly, Paley said that if you came across a stone you would know that it's creation was down to natural causes. Whereas, if you came across a pocket watch you would instantly know it's creation couldn't be explained by natural causes. For instance, the watch has been created with cogs, levers and springs; it is far more complex than a stone which seems to suggest that it has been designed by a watchmaker with the purpose of telling the time. The world is even more complex than a watch and thus, there must be a designer, God. To add to this, Paley also said that even if we had not seen a watch before, it's design is still more complex than the watch and indicates a designer. Lastly, Paley says that even if the watch is broken there is still enough evidence to suggest a (watchmaker) designer because Paley was not commenting on quality of the design of the watch.

Who was William Paley?

William Paley was an eighteenth century English Philosopher who is best known for developing the teleological argument for the existence of God through his watchmaker analogy.

What is a teleological (i.e. design) argument?

William Paley's teleological argument is based on a posteriori reasoning - he uses observable evidence in the world to argue that this demonstrates a designer, who is God. He, therefore argues that this proves the existence of God.