Design Argument

Which of the following is one of the main premises (starting points) of Aquinas' teleological argument?

All things engage in or are a part of goal-orientated activity.

Which is the connection, made by Smith, between theorist and theory?

Aquinas::Teleological

Which philosopher is not discussed in Smith's selection?

Aristotle Paley Aquinas Correct! Plato

What is the central claim that is the basis for Paley's analogy between a watch and the world?

Both seem to have an intricate and complex set of parts and processes fitted to some purpose.

Complete this sentence from Smith: "For Aquinas, however, the fact that acorns continue to grow into oaks, the fact that nature exhibits regularity, constitutes evidence of ..."

Divine guidance

Which of the following best explains the infinite regress problem?

If the world needs a designer because it is complex, the designer will need a designer, and that super-designer will need a designer and so on.

What does Paley say about the fact that watches sometimes can get the time wrong or malfunction?

It doesn't invalidate his conclusion.

Smith says that the regularity and ordered patterns evident in the world can be explained by:

Natural necessity: the identity of objects and causal limitations on their interactions.

Complete this sentence: "every manifestation of design, which existed in the watch, exists in the works of..."

Nature

Paley discusses the principle of order in which section?

Section II

Which is the best summary of Aquinas' argument?

Since all things have natural ends for which they act, some intelligent designer needs to fit and direct these natural bodies lacking intelligence to their ends.

When Paley writes: "nor would it, perhaps, be very easy to show the absurdity of this answer." What is the answer to which he is referring?

That the stone had been in its spot forever.

What was the point of the Mandelbrot Set example?

The Mandelbrot Set example was intended to show evidence of order without design since it is a complex, fractal pattern resulting from the mechanical operation of a mathematical formula.

One criticism of Paley's analogical argument is that it engages in a kind of equivocation. Which is the best explanation of this claim:

The argument is based on the fundamental difference between the watch and the stone, but later requires that these be similar enough to engage in the analogy at the heart of the argument.

What does Smith say is the fundamental error of the teleological argument?

The assumption that order presupposes conscious design.

What is the main difference between teleological and analogical arguments?

The teleological argument is based on the analysis of the means and ends of natural things. The analogical argument is based on the analogy between man-made objects and natural objects.

Natural Theology contrasts primarily to which of the following:

Theology based on the natural world. Theology based on connecting means and ends. Correct Answer Theology based on revealed texts or mystical experiences. You Answered Theology based on ordinary reason and experience.

What is the God of Abraham problem?

This is the counter to the design argument that even if the argument was successful at demonstrating the existence of a designer, it fails to show that this designer is the God that most Western religions worship.

Which is the phrase Smith uses to describe his final judgment of Paley's argument:

Total Failure

Complete this sentence: "The real alternative facing us in the design argument is between natural necessity and ...."

supernatural caprice