Paper Topic:

Argument

In to take a position for or against Paley 's argument for God 's existence , it is best that we first understand the argument in its entirety . There are two logical components to Paley 's argument inference and analogy . Paley argues that in our human existence everything that we know that is put together in a specific way is done so to perform a specific function . So when we come across a watch , even in an unlikely place as an open field , upon examining the watch (Of course , this is not a digital

watch ) and seeing that it 's parts were put together in a very specific way , we can logically infer that the watch was design for a purpose . Paley makes the additional observation that everything that we know to be designed for a specific purpose has a designer , an intelligent agent responsible for the design

Paley takes his argument one step further with the telescope and the human eye . This is where the analogy begins . The telescope , he observes is a visual aid just like the eye is an instrument of vision . Every telescope was specifically designed by an intelligent agent to aid vision . The most sophisticated telescope is a simple object in design when compared to the eye . Paley therefore reasoned that if the simple telescope requires an intelligent designer , then the complex eye must definitely require a more intelligent designer . With his inferential and logical arguments in tow , Paley concludes : There is design everywhere in nature . If the watch requires a watchmaker , then the natural world requires a maker . The requirement for a maker in nature is , according to Paley , evidence for the existence of an intelligent designer , God

Many counter arguments have been posited against Paley 's intelligent Creator postulate , and many of these counter arguments can be easily disposed of on philosophical (logical ) or scientific grounds or both For example , Hume 's claim that the universe does not exhibit that much is not tenable with today 's knowledge of physics , especially the weak anthropic principle that argues for the universe being finely tuned , that is specifically designed , to accommodate life . Also , Hume 's claim that Paley 's analogy fails because it does not compare two universes misses the point of the analogy . Paley is comparing design , an attribute in human artifacts , with design , a similar attribute in nature . The analogy is thus valid . Since we cannot deal with all of the arguments against Paley 's views , let us consider there issues : direct observation of God , knowledge of God , and extinction

The point is made that we have observed watchmakers but never directly observed God . This is an interesting but absolutely irrelevant observation unless the point being made is that direct observation is a requirement for inference and analogy . If every inference must be directly observed , then let 's begin by first discarding the big bang . No one ever observed it and no one ever will . Secondly , let us discard all evolutionary claims...

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