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THE DESIGN ARGUEMENT FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD - TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT -…
THE DESIGN ARGUEMENT FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD - TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT
The status of Paley's Design Argument as 'Proof' - Pascal'
' Metaphysical proof for the existence of God are so remote from human reasoning, and so complex that they have little impact'
Pascal = French Philosopher
Pascal Criticised the DA, so it's status as proof is undermined because it has 'little impact'
It is insufficient
The value of Paley's Design Argument for Religious Faith
It does have value for faith
Pope John Paul II is authored the encyclical 'Fides et Ratio' - he asserts that reason + faith are mutually supportive -
'Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth'
This argument compliments faith - faith is beyond reason but is not contrary to reason
As a theist, you can see reason which is what Paley is doing + then faith are supportive of one another + when you bring them together you arrive at the truth
It does have value for faith
John Polkinghorne:
'Faith is motivated belief, based on evidence'
- the design argument provides evidence for your faith because you already have the belief in God, and then this argument can give you the evidence to support that
It does have value for faith
Paley's argument is rationally + empirically based
His reasoning + use of empiricism therefore provieds strong support for theists
It gives them a
'reasoned defence of their faith' - Wittgenstein
- someone operating within a religious form of life view this argument as being extremely valuable because it equips them with a reason defence of their faith - so it gives them something to support them + to give them an evidence based backing
It does have value for faith
It is consistent with Biblical teaching
E.g. Genesis 1:1
It confirms Biblical teaching there is a 'guiding hand' directing nature in a purposeful way
It does have value for faith
Paley's argument gives evidence to support the 'belief that' God exists
His description of the universe design encourages 'belief in' God
(HH Price)
It does not have value for faith
Pascal - faith is a matter of the heart, not just reason
We know the truth, not only though our reason, but also through our heart'
The existence of God is not something that can be proven
It does not have value for faith
For Fideists, rational arguments play no part in faith as they do not lead to commitment
Belief in God must be based on 'faith alone' - you cannot try to 'prove' God exists in this way
It does not have value for faith
Paley's argument does not successfully addressing the Problem of Evil
This may restrict its value for faith in an omnibenevolent God
John Polkinghorne - does have value for religious faith
'Faith is to be understood as 'motivated belief, based on evidence'
It does have value of religious faith, because it can provide people with a reason defence of their faith
Faith is a motivated belief based on evidence + so it does have value