Paley's Design Argument

Question 1

Outline Paley’s Argument in logical formulation

Answer 1

P1- Aspects of nature contain similar traits as of man made artefacts.
P2- These like traits hint towards a designer of nature.
P3- This designer must be both distinct from nature and humanity.
C1- This designer is God.

Question 2

Outline the objection regarding distinction

Answer 2

The components of nature and human creation are too distinct to be compared; this faulty comparison demonstrates the incoherence in Paley’s premise in that he isn’t considering the objects in their own right.

Question 3

Outline the objection regarding causation

Answer 3

Hume highlighted the inconsistency in Paley’s logic; if aspects of nature and humanity have been caused and therefore designed, what designed the primary designer of God?

Question 4

What is the main point of Paley’s Argument from Design?

Answer 4

The world is the creation of intelligent design which can be explained through the work of an all-powerful god.