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Teleological Arguments for the Existence of God
Philosophy · Year 12 · Metaphysics of God · Summer Term

Teleological Arguments for the Existence of God

Examine a posteriori arguments that infer a divine designer from the perceived order, purpose, and complexity of the natural world, considering both analogical and modern forms.

National Curriculum Attainment TargetsAQA A-Level Philosophy: Section 4.1 - Metaphysics of God - Arguments for the existence of God: Teleological arguments

About This Topic

Examine a posteriori arguments that infer a divine designer from the perceived order, purpose, and complexity of the natural world, considering both analogical and modern forms.

Key Questions

  1. Compare Paley's watchmaker analogy with Hume's criticisms of arguments from analogy.
  2. Explain how the anthropic principle is used in modern design arguments.
  3. Evaluate whether Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection fatally undermines the teleological argument.

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Edited by Adriana Perusin, Editor-in-Chief, Flip Education