In “The Argument from Design,” William Paley argues in favor of the existence of God by drawing comparisons between a watch and the universe. David Hume debates the existence of God using three characters in “Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion.” This essay examines “The Argument from Design” by William Paley on the existence of God. This essay defends Paley’s argument that the universe was intricately designed against Hume’s dissimilarity and imperfection objections. David Hume wrote his objections several years before William Paley wrote his analogy. However, Paley wrote his Design analogy without any prior knowledge of Hume’s objections. Paley begins his argument by coming across a stone and asking himself how the stone go here. He imagines
…show more content…
In the case of a watch, another watch could easily be compared to it to find out which watch is superior to the other. Without the capabilities to find another universe, if another universe exists, there is no way to prove that this universe is perfect. Similarly, comparing an imperfect human being to a god could lead one to believe that God is just as imperfect as said human being. A watchmaker will make mistakes when designing and building watches. If God is just like a watchmaker, like as in Paley’s Design analogy, then God could also make mistakes in design. Paley would argue there is no way to prove that this is not the only universe. It is possible this universe is the only existing universe. If that is factual, then there is nothing to compare this universe to. Therefore, this universe cannot be considered “bad,” “good,” or even “perfect,” but neutral. “Irregularities and imperfections are of little or no weight in the consideration when that consideration relates simply to the existence of a Creator.” (Paley 7). The Design analogy argues the universe’s creator to be more intelligent than a mere watchmaker because the universe is much larger and more complex than a watch. Since the universe’s creator is considered more intelligent, it is possible humans cannot understand what is beyond their intelligence. What humans define as a mistake does not necessarily include any of God’s designs. For example, humans do not question the creation of bodies of water or continents. Humans live on continents and rely on water for transportation and life. Everything created by this intelligent designer could have a purpose, apparent or
In the case of a watch, another watch could easily be compared to it to find out which watch is superior to the other. Without the capabilities to find another universe, if another universe exists, there is no way to prove that this universe is perfect. Similarly, comparing an imperfect human being to a god could lead one to believe that God is just as imperfect as said human being. A watchmaker will make mistakes when designing and building watches. If God is just like a watchmaker, like as in Paley’s Design analogy, then God could also make mistakes in design. Paley would argue there is no way to prove that this is not the only universe. It is possible this universe is the only existing universe. If that is factual, then there is nothing to compare this universe to. Therefore, this universe cannot be considered “bad,” “good,” or even “perfect,” but neutral. “Irregularities and imperfections are of little or no weight in the consideration when that consideration relates simply to the existence of a Creator.” (Paley 7). The Design analogy argues the universe’s creator to be more intelligent than a mere watchmaker because the universe is much larger and more complex than a watch. Since the universe’s creator is considered more intelligent, it is possible humans cannot understand what is beyond their intelligence. What humans define as a mistake does not necessarily include any of God’s designs. For example, humans do not question the creation of bodies of water or continents. Humans live on continents and rely on water for transportation and life. Everything created by this intelligent designer could have a purpose, apparent or