1. Thesis
The discovery and acceptance of Natural Selection refutes Paley’s design argument. Beyond this, Natural Selection offers new conclusions to theological problems, most of which are atheistic. Despite these plausible solutions, a skeptical mindset towards atheism should be adopted since logical arguments still remain in favor of theism.
2. Terms:
A. God: A broad term, referring to a divine being compatible with all world religions.
B. Nature: The way in which elements and organisms interact in our universe.
C. Natural Selection: A form of evolution in which genetic mutations affects an organism’s fitness such that if the trait increases the organism’s fitness, it will be more likely to pass on its genes to the next generation.
Propositions …show more content…
This however was not a result of manipulation by a divine being, but instead was caused by the laws of nature, circumstance, and competition. These complex species originated from simple organisms who through the process of evolution (specifically Natural Selection), slowly adapted genetically to occupy a variety of ecological niches. Paley’s design argument argues for the necessity of a creator to explain the world’s complexity. This is refuted by Natural Selection, since Natural Selection provides an observable explanation for the Earth’s complexity without appealing to divine creation.
Argument for Proposition B: Inner conviction for religion is observable in all world religions. Using these convictions as evidence of a faiths truth however is problematic. This is due to the impossibility of all religions being true since considering they do not share the same beliefs, and many faiths contradict each other’s teachings. If there is not a consensus of what religion is true, there is no reason to believe an individual’s emotional attachment to their religion, makes their religion at all greater in truth than another religion who also has devoutly attached
The discovery and acceptance of Natural Selection refutes Paley’s design argument. Beyond this, Natural Selection offers new conclusions to theological problems, most of which are atheistic. Despite these plausible solutions, a skeptical mindset towards atheism should be adopted since logical arguments still remain in favor of theism.
2. Terms:
A. God: A broad term, referring to a divine being compatible with all world religions.
B. Nature: The way in which elements and organisms interact in our universe.
C. Natural Selection: A form of evolution in which genetic mutations affects an organism’s fitness such that if the trait increases the organism’s fitness, it will be more likely to pass on its genes to the next generation.
Propositions …show more content…
This however was not a result of manipulation by a divine being, but instead was caused by the laws of nature, circumstance, and competition. These complex species originated from simple organisms who through the process of evolution (specifically Natural Selection), slowly adapted genetically to occupy a variety of ecological niches. Paley’s design argument argues for the necessity of a creator to explain the world’s complexity. This is refuted by Natural Selection, since Natural Selection provides an observable explanation for the Earth’s complexity without appealing to divine creation.
Argument for Proposition B: Inner conviction for religion is observable in all world religions. Using these convictions as evidence of a faiths truth however is problematic. This is due to the impossibility of all religions being true since considering they do not share the same beliefs, and many faiths contradict each other’s teachings. If there is not a consensus of what religion is true, there is no reason to believe an individual’s emotional attachment to their religion, makes their religion at all greater in truth than another religion who also has devoutly attached