William Paley Design Argument

William Paley was a senior Christian religious leader of Carlisle, who lead Christian theology defending Christianity. Paley’s position is from the design argument, called teleological arguments which are arguments from the order in the universe to the existence of God. William Paley points out the resemblances of the universe to a watch, with many ordered parts working in harmony to further some purpose. “Paley argues that just as we infer the existence of an intelligent designer to explain the presence of a subtle and complex artifact like a watch, so too we must infer the existence of an intelligent Grand Designer to explain the existence of the works of nature, which are far more subtle, complex, and cleverly contrived than any human artifact.” (Paley, 181) If we open up a watch why can’t we look at it the same as a rock? This argues the fact that we see complicated parts and continuous motion. If someone were to alter any parts of the watch it would stop working; the teleological purpose is inferred by looking at the watch. Meaning nature designs itself and continues to evolve over time. Concluding a watch is to a watchmaker as the universe is to universe maker.

The argument states that design implies a designer. People do not understand everything, but might not need to know who the designer …show more content…
Paley’s argument remind me of Aquinas and his five ways of the existence of God specifically causation and motion. Paley's argument for God's existence is clearly explained. The universe is so complex and complicated that there has to be a master designer who was the first mover and first causer for all that exists. There is one divine creator who is extremely powerful and intelligent who is God. The universe is not only ordered and complex in the same way as a watch, but it is so on a much greater