Philo God's Existence: Teleological And Moral

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william paley

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analogical teleogical argument

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L. Stafford and Bruce Cordell

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anthropic teleological argument

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Robert Merrihaw Adams

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moral arguments for God's existence

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william paley

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analogical teleological argument
Teleology is based on the proposition that the universe has design and purpose and for Christians this means the world is not accidental. The design, whether a watch or an eye, has a designer. This encounters objections of an intelligent Creator, such as imperfection, inaccuracy, liability to disorder, and irregularities.

1) What is the analogy that Paley uses to constrict his teleological argument for the existence of a Creator?

Just as the function and complexity of a watch implies a watch-maker, so likewise the function and complexity of the universe implies the existence of a universe-maker.

2) Take two of the objections that Paley raises against the teleology of a watch and apply them to that of the eye. Then show how Paley answers these objections.

Objection: We never knew the artist capable of making an eye/ we do not know how the work was accomplished.
Paley's response: Just because we don't know who the artist might be, it doesn't mean that we cannot know that there is one.

Objection: The parts of the eye do not work perfectly and therefor the designer does not exist.
Paley's response: Something does not need to be perfect in order to prove there is design.

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the design, watch, or eye is given by

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william paley

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analogy of watch and eye by designer

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william paley

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L. stafford better & Bruce Cordell

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anthropic teleological argument
Because it is so improbable that our universe was randomly generated, there must have been an intelligent creator. Betty and Cordell use the calculations of many renowned physicists to show that our unique universe could not have existed if the slightest detail were any different than it is. They use the anthropic principle to demonstrate the overwhelmingly low odds of life being generated on our planet without the help of a guiding hand. Next, Betty and Cordell go on to discuss the origins of life and what it takes to randomly come up with the two thousand different enzymes that are essential to all life. In their entire argument they rely on the calculations of scientists to prove the existence of a being that is incalculable. It is possible that humans randomly came into existence but is it probable? It is easier to believe that "a pre-existing mind and power of vast magnitude" created the universe rather than the Big Band occurring so long ago. Betty and Cordell also argue that if Planck’s constant, a very small number that describes the movement of energy in the universe, were to be any different (even the smallest of changes), life as we know it would not have evolved. They refute any arguments against their claims by simply saying that it is easier to believe in a supreme creator than to say that it came out of nothing by chance.

1) What is the Big Bang argument for God’s existence developed by Betty and Cordell?

They believe that it is an intuitive argument but again it is easier to believe that "a pre-existing mind and power of vast magnitude" created the universe rather than the Big Band occurring so long ago.

2) Retrace and evaluate the anthropic argument of God’s existence.

The anthropic principle relates to the universe being created by chance and explains how certain constant’s, such as Planck’s constant, are so small that it is very improbably life was generated without the help of a creator.

3) Develop one objection to the anthropic principle and comment.

It is possible that intelligent life could evolve out of an entirely different universe with entirely different characteristics.

4) Why do they think that God is best understood theistically?

Again, it is easier to believe in a supreme creator than to say that it came out of nothing by chance.

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there is a huge difference btw a stone and a watch why

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because the watch has a means ends ordering

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betty and cordell

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anthropic argument
a universe described by a grand universal theory is highly unlikely to have evolved by chance
the intelligent creator explains the origin of life better than any neo-darwinian account

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Retrace and evaluate the anthropic argument of God’s existence.

The anthropic principle relates to the universe being created by chance and explains how certain constant’s, such as Planck’s constant, are so small that it is very improbably life was generated without the help of a creator.

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betty and cordell

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robert merrihaw adams

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moral argument for god's existence
1) What is the divine command theory and how does it show God exists?

The divine command theory states that morality is somehow dependent upon God, and that moral obligation relies upon obedience to God’s commands.

2) Give one objection to the divine command theory and note how Adams would respond.

It implies that morality is arbitrary. If divine command theory is true, morality is based merely upon God's whim. Divine Command Theory entails that if it is morally obligatory to do x then this is in virtue of God's commanding that we do x. Therefore, if God had commanded that we be cruel and dishonest then it would have been morally obligatory to be cruel and dishonest. But God did not command this and thus it is not obligatory.

3) What is Adam’s second argument from practical considerations for God’s existence?

We have pragmatic reasons for believing in the moral order of the universe, giving ethical or other practical reasons for why God exists.

4) Why does Adams believe the moral argument helps us understand the nature of God?

If we understand what is moral and good we understand God because God is morally good. But are these “morals”, such as compassion, are they morally good because God created them that way and they are in his nature or because they are already good they are apart of God’s nature?

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What is the divine command theory and how does it show God exists?

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adams
The divine command theory states that morality is somehow dependent upon God, and that moral obligation relies upon obedience to God’s commands.

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Why does Adams believe the moral argument helps us understand the nature of God?

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If we understand what is moral and good we understand God because God is morally good. But are these “morals”, such as compassion, are they morally good because God created them that way and they are in his nature or because they are already good they are apart of God’s nature?

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robert merrihew adams

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3 moral arguments for God's existence
-omit the 3rd

he contends that divine command theory entails the existence of God

we have pragmatic reasons for believing in the moral order of the universe, for not to believe in it is demoralizing

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why moral argument?

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adams
advantage of providing a reason for thinking that if there is a God, he is morally very good