The Design Argument | Teleological Argument
Design Argument - What to
Consider:
1. The basis of Paley’s Analogical Argument in
observation and thought.
2. Paley’s Analogical Design Argument.
3. Criticisms of Design Arguments from David Hume.
4. The strengths and weaknesses of Paley’s
argument.
5. The status of Paley’s argument as a ‘proof’.
6. The relationship between reason and faith.
7. The value of Paley's argument for religious faith.
, The Design Argument | Teleological Argument
AO1 – 15 marks per question
- The Design Argument is also known as the Teleological
Argument, based on the word telos, meaning ‘end’ or
‘purpose’ in Greek.
- Paley’s argument is a posteriori (based on sense
experience).
o a posteriori arguments claim that we draw
conclusions based on what our senses tell us, for
example, we know that something is red because we
use our sight to observe the colour, or that an apple
is sweet – we know the apple is sweet because we
have experienced this.
o a posteriori knowledge is knowledge gained from
experience.
- Paley’s argument is inductive.
o Inductive reasoning uses premises to provide strong
evidence for the truth of the conclusion.
o Inductive reasoning gives us knowledge that is
probably true.
Frye gives an example of cats with fur:
Design Argument - What to
Consider:
1. The basis of Paley’s Analogical Argument in
observation and thought.
2. Paley’s Analogical Design Argument.
3. Criticisms of Design Arguments from David Hume.
4. The strengths and weaknesses of Paley’s
argument.
5. The status of Paley’s argument as a ‘proof’.
6. The relationship between reason and faith.
7. The value of Paley's argument for religious faith.
, The Design Argument | Teleological Argument
AO1 – 15 marks per question
- The Design Argument is also known as the Teleological
Argument, based on the word telos, meaning ‘end’ or
‘purpose’ in Greek.
- Paley’s argument is a posteriori (based on sense
experience).
o a posteriori arguments claim that we draw
conclusions based on what our senses tell us, for
example, we know that something is red because we
use our sight to observe the colour, or that an apple
is sweet – we know the apple is sweet because we
have experienced this.
o a posteriori knowledge is knowledge gained from
experience.
- Paley’s argument is inductive.
o Inductive reasoning uses premises to provide strong
evidence for the truth of the conclusion.
o Inductive reasoning gives us knowledge that is
probably true.
Frye gives an example of cats with fur:
