Chapter 5 The Design ArgumentChapter Outline1. Goal-Directed S.docxchristinemaritza
Chapter 5 The Design Argument
Chapter Outline
1. Goal-Directed Systems
2. Two Kinds of Design Argument
3. Paley’s Watch
4. The Analogy
5. Abductive Arguments Often Postulate Unobserved Entities
6. Hume’s Criticisms of the Design Argument
7. Is the Design Argument a Weak Argument from Analogy?
8. Is the Design Argument a Weak Induction?
There are three main traditional arguments for the existence of God—the cosmological argument, the design argument, and the ontological argument. Aquinas’s first, second, and third ways, surveyed in the previous chapter, are cosmological arguments. Cosmological arguments take different forms; each cites a general feature of the whole universe as evidence that there is a God. The second type of traditional argument, the design argument, is the one we’ll consider in the present chapter. The ontological argument will occupy our attention in Chapter 8.
Aquinas’s fifth argument for the existence of God is an instance of what has come to be called the Argument from Design. The design argument has a variety of forms, some of which I’ll describe. To start things off, here is a formulation that is close to the one Aquinas uses:
1. Among objects that act for an end, some have minds whereas others do not.
2. An object that acts for an end, but does not itself have a mind, must have been designed by a being that has a mind.
3. Hence, there exists a being with a mind who designed all mindless objects that act for an end.
Hence, God exists.
Note as a preliminary point that the transition from (2) to (3) commits the Birthday Fallacy described in Chapter 4. If each mindless object that acts for an end has a designer, it doesn’t follow that there is a single designer of all the mindless objects that act for an end.
Goal-Directed Systems
What does Aquinas mean by “act for an end”? This phrase corresponds to the modern idea of a goal-directed system. Human beings act for an end because they have desires; these desires represent the ends or purposes or goals to which behaviors are directed. Human beings are capable of goal-directed behavior because they have minds. Consider, however, a different example: a guided missile. It is a goal-directed system. Its goal or function is to reach and destroy its target. If the target veers off to the side, the missile can adjust its behavior so that it will achieve its purpose. Guided missiles are goal-directed systems, but they don’t have minds. How is this possible? The answer is consistent with what Aquinas says in premise (2). Guided missiles are artifacts. They are devices built by creatures with minds—namely, human beings. This is how missiles obtained the machinery that allows them to engage in goal-directed behavior.
Are there other examples of goal-directed systems besides human beings and artifacts? Nonhuman organisms provide a third category. Even bacteria, which evidently don’t have beliefs and desires, seek out nutrients and avoid poisonous chemicals. Because of this, it seems pl ...
Chapter 5 The Design ArgumentChapter Outline1. Goal-Directed S.docxchristinemaritza
Chapter 5 The Design Argument
Chapter Outline
1. Goal-Directed Systems
2. Two Kinds of Design Argument
3. Paley’s Watch
4. The Analogy
5. Abductive Arguments Often Postulate Unobserved Entities
6. Hume’s Criticisms of the Design Argument
7. Is the Design Argument a Weak Argument from Analogy?
8. Is the Design Argument a Weak Induction?
There are three main traditional arguments for the existence of God—the cosmological argument, the design argument, and the ontological argument. Aquinas’s first, second, and third ways, surveyed in the previous chapter, are cosmological arguments. Cosmological arguments take different forms; each cites a general feature of the whole universe as evidence that there is a God. The second type of traditional argument, the design argument, is the one we’ll consider in the present chapter. The ontological argument will occupy our attention in Chapter 8.
Aquinas’s fifth argument for the existence of God is an instance of what has come to be called the Argument from Design. The design argument has a variety of forms, some of which I’ll describe. To start things off, here is a formulation that is close to the one Aquinas uses:
1. Among objects that act for an end, some have minds whereas others do not.
2. An object that acts for an end, but does not itself have a mind, must have been designed by a being that has a mind.
3. Hence, there exists a being with a mind who designed all mindless objects that act for an end.
Hence, God exists.
Note as a preliminary point that the transition from (2) to (3) commits the Birthday Fallacy described in Chapter 4. If each mindless object that acts for an end has a designer, it doesn’t follow that there is a single designer of all the mindless objects that act for an end.
Goal-Directed Systems
What does Aquinas mean by “act for an end”? This phrase corresponds to the modern idea of a goal-directed system. Human beings act for an end because they have desires; these desires represent the ends or purposes or goals to which behaviors are directed. Human beings are capable of goal-directed behavior because they have minds. Consider, however, a different example: a guided missile. It is a goal-directed system. Its goal or function is to reach and destroy its target. If the target veers off to the side, the missile can adjust its behavior so that it will achieve its purpose. Guided missiles are goal-directed systems, but they don’t have minds. How is this possible? The answer is consistent with what Aquinas says in premise (2). Guided missiles are artifacts. They are devices built by creatures with minds—namely, human beings. This is how missiles obtained the machinery that allows them to engage in goal-directed behavior.
Are there other examples of goal-directed systems besides human beings and artifacts? Nonhuman organisms provide a third category. Even bacteria, which evidently don’t have beliefs and desires, seek out nutrients and avoid poisonous chemicals. Because of this, it seems pl ...
Reasons to Believe The Argument from Design Can you prove t.docxdanas19
Reasons to Believe:
The Argument from Design Can you prove that God exists? Before we answer this question, we
must distinguish five questions that are often confused. First, there is the question of whether
something exists or not. A thing can exist whether we know it or not. Second, there is the
question of whether we know it exists. (To answer this question affirmatively is to presuppose
that the first question is answered affirmatively, of course; though a thing can exist without our
knowing it, we cannot know it exists unless it exists.) Third, there is the question of whether we
have a reason for our knowledge. We can know some things without being able to lead others
to that knowledge by reasons. Many Christians think God’s existence is like that. Fourth, there
is the question of whether this reason, if it exists, amounts to a proof. Most reasons do not.
Most of the reasons we give for what we believe amount to probabilities, not proofs. For
instance, the building you sit in may collapse in one minute, but the reliability of the contractor
and the construction materials is a good reason for thinking that very improbable. Fifth, if there
is a proof, is it a scientific proof, a proof by the scientific method, i.e., by experiment,
observation, and measurement? Philosophical proofs can be good proofs, but they do not have
to be scientific proofs. I believe we can answer yes to the first four of these questions about the
existence of God but not to the fifth.
God exists, we can know that, we can give reasons, and those reasons amount to proof, but not
scientific proof, except in an unusually broad sense. There are many arguments for God’s
existence, but most of them have the same logical structure, which is the basic structure of any
deductive argument. First, there is a major premise, or general principle. Then, a minor premise
states some particular data in our experience that come under that principle. Finally, the
conclusion follows from applying the general principle to the particular case. In each case the
conclusion is that God exists, but the premises of the different arguments are different. The
arguments are like roads, from different starting points, all aiming at the same goal of God. In
subsequent essays we will explore the arguments from cause and effect, from conscience, from
history, and from Pascal’s Wager. This essay explores the argument from design. The argument
starts with the major premise that where there is design, there must be a designer. The minor
premise is the existence of design throughout the universe. The conclusion is that there must
be a universal designer. Why must we believe the major premise, that all design implies a
designer? Because everyone admits this principle in practice. For instance, suppose you came
upon a deserted island and found “S.O.S.” written in the sand on the beach. You would not
think the wind or the waves had written it by mere chance but that someon.
What (Else) Can Agile Learn From ComplexityJurgen Appelo
How can complexity science be applied to software development? This presentation shows you which scientific concepts can be mapped to agile software development.
http://www.noop.nl
http://www.jurgenappelo.com
Phi 102Final ProjectIn your final project, you’re going .docxmattjtoni51554
Phi 102
Final Project
In your final project, you’re going to write a paper that is at most 3 pages long, single spaced.
In this paper, you will write an evaluative critique of a piece of reasoning. That means you’ll
read a passage that contains some reasoning and then you’ll write an argumentative response
to that passage. You’re playing the neutral referee here, analyzing the reasoning in a real-life
example of argumentation. Keep the paper fairly bare bones: don’t do anything outside of the
enumerated steps below. I don’t care what format the paper is in—I just want a clean, precise
evaluative critique that is well-written. Don’t forget to proof read!
Read this entire sheet: There are tips to get your diagram started
First, choose one of the following passages:
1. Passages
• Passage 1 (13A(b)).
If the conclusion that a god exists is to be demonstrably certain, then these premises [from
which it follows] must be certain. . . (1). But we know that no empirical proposition can
ever be anything more than probable (2). It is only “a priori” propositions [propositions
like “all bachelors are unmarried males,” which are true in virtue of the meanings of the
terms involved in the sentence] that are logically certain (3). But we cannot deduce the
existence of god from an “a priori” proposition (4). For we know that the reason why “a
priori” propositions are certain is that they are tautologies [statements that are necessarily
true] (5). And from a set of tautologies nothing but a further tautology can be validly
deduced (6). It follows that there is no possibility of demonstrating the existence of god
(7).
• Passage 2 (13A(d)).
¶1
I’m a Catholic and I believe that any marriage is worth saving (1). But I’m also pragmatic
and I have even recommended a couple of friends go ahead with their decision to divorce
their partners (2). This is because I believe divorce is not always bad (3).
¶2
Worst case scenario for a divorce is spousal abuse (4). Sure, the couple can go to see a
counsellor on that matter (5). In many cases, however, it is probably safer for the abused
spouse to just leave (6). Here, divorce isn’t such a bad thing (7). It might even save one’s
life (8).
¶3
Then there is the irreparable di↵erence, unresolved by marriage counseling (9). When the
couples don’t even talk to each other anymore or can’t stand each other anymore perhaps
to the point of only wanting to hurt each other’s feelings, divorce seems to be the best
strategy (10).
¶4
What about children (11)? That’s the hardest factor in deciding to divorce (12). Children
do thrive better when their parents are together (13). I remain, however, a little bit
1
skeptical, especially considering the possible short- and long-term emotional and social
e↵ects on children when their parents can’t stand each other anymore (14). Isn’t it the
children’s right, too, to experience that their parents are happy individuals unrestrained by
their marital statuses (15)? And don’t children th.
Design of Financial Services and Products
Depends on
Flat Earth Policy - See: Friedman
The World is Flat
Terra Firma Economics.com and
Terra Policy - Pool Re - Swiss Re - Admin Re - Banking on Accord
Category theory is general abolute nonsensPawel Szulc
Happened to be part of conversation recently that you did not get or the library which README.md was to obscure because it consistently kept on using those weird phrases? "Typeclasses", "semigroups", "monoids", "applicatives" - they all seem so weird, so academic, so pointlessly detached from the real-world problems. But then again, they pop up here and there in conversations (especially if talk to functional programmers). So are they really irrelevant. Is knowing them is just an academic exercise or do they have a real applications? Well, you have to join this talk to see and judge it for yourself.
Intention of this talk is not to give just raw definitions of such terms as 'monoid' or 'functor'. The more important question (rarely explained in other talks & tutorials) is what are the motivations behind those concepts. And this is exactly what we want to discover.
Preferable audience for this talk are people who:
- want to stay relevant to the continuously changing industry
- confuse their wives/husbands/boyfriends/girlfriends ("You know honey, a monad is just a monoid in the category of endofunctors")
- sound smart on the next job interview
Reasons to Believe The Argument from Design Can you prove t.docxdanas19
Reasons to Believe:
The Argument from Design Can you prove that God exists? Before we answer this question, we
must distinguish five questions that are often confused. First, there is the question of whether
something exists or not. A thing can exist whether we know it or not. Second, there is the
question of whether we know it exists. (To answer this question affirmatively is to presuppose
that the first question is answered affirmatively, of course; though a thing can exist without our
knowing it, we cannot know it exists unless it exists.) Third, there is the question of whether we
have a reason for our knowledge. We can know some things without being able to lead others
to that knowledge by reasons. Many Christians think God’s existence is like that. Fourth, there
is the question of whether this reason, if it exists, amounts to a proof. Most reasons do not.
Most of the reasons we give for what we believe amount to probabilities, not proofs. For
instance, the building you sit in may collapse in one minute, but the reliability of the contractor
and the construction materials is a good reason for thinking that very improbable. Fifth, if there
is a proof, is it a scientific proof, a proof by the scientific method, i.e., by experiment,
observation, and measurement? Philosophical proofs can be good proofs, but they do not have
to be scientific proofs. I believe we can answer yes to the first four of these questions about the
existence of God but not to the fifth.
God exists, we can know that, we can give reasons, and those reasons amount to proof, but not
scientific proof, except in an unusually broad sense. There are many arguments for God’s
existence, but most of them have the same logical structure, which is the basic structure of any
deductive argument. First, there is a major premise, or general principle. Then, a minor premise
states some particular data in our experience that come under that principle. Finally, the
conclusion follows from applying the general principle to the particular case. In each case the
conclusion is that God exists, but the premises of the different arguments are different. The
arguments are like roads, from different starting points, all aiming at the same goal of God. In
subsequent essays we will explore the arguments from cause and effect, from conscience, from
history, and from Pascal’s Wager. This essay explores the argument from design. The argument
starts with the major premise that where there is design, there must be a designer. The minor
premise is the existence of design throughout the universe. The conclusion is that there must
be a universal designer. Why must we believe the major premise, that all design implies a
designer? Because everyone admits this principle in practice. For instance, suppose you came
upon a deserted island and found “S.O.S.” written in the sand on the beach. You would not
think the wind or the waves had written it by mere chance but that someon.
What (Else) Can Agile Learn From ComplexityJurgen Appelo
How can complexity science be applied to software development? This presentation shows you which scientific concepts can be mapped to agile software development.
http://www.noop.nl
http://www.jurgenappelo.com
Phi 102Final ProjectIn your final project, you’re going .docxmattjtoni51554
Phi 102
Final Project
In your final project, you’re going to write a paper that is at most 3 pages long, single spaced.
In this paper, you will write an evaluative critique of a piece of reasoning. That means you’ll
read a passage that contains some reasoning and then you’ll write an argumentative response
to that passage. You’re playing the neutral referee here, analyzing the reasoning in a real-life
example of argumentation. Keep the paper fairly bare bones: don’t do anything outside of the
enumerated steps below. I don’t care what format the paper is in—I just want a clean, precise
evaluative critique that is well-written. Don’t forget to proof read!
Read this entire sheet: There are tips to get your diagram started
First, choose one of the following passages:
1. Passages
• Passage 1 (13A(b)).
If the conclusion that a god exists is to be demonstrably certain, then these premises [from
which it follows] must be certain. . . (1). But we know that no empirical proposition can
ever be anything more than probable (2). It is only “a priori” propositions [propositions
like “all bachelors are unmarried males,” which are true in virtue of the meanings of the
terms involved in the sentence] that are logically certain (3). But we cannot deduce the
existence of god from an “a priori” proposition (4). For we know that the reason why “a
priori” propositions are certain is that they are tautologies [statements that are necessarily
true] (5). And from a set of tautologies nothing but a further tautology can be validly
deduced (6). It follows that there is no possibility of demonstrating the existence of god
(7).
• Passage 2 (13A(d)).
¶1
I’m a Catholic and I believe that any marriage is worth saving (1). But I’m also pragmatic
and I have even recommended a couple of friends go ahead with their decision to divorce
their partners (2). This is because I believe divorce is not always bad (3).
¶2
Worst case scenario for a divorce is spousal abuse (4). Sure, the couple can go to see a
counsellor on that matter (5). In many cases, however, it is probably safer for the abused
spouse to just leave (6). Here, divorce isn’t such a bad thing (7). It might even save one’s
life (8).
¶3
Then there is the irreparable di↵erence, unresolved by marriage counseling (9). When the
couples don’t even talk to each other anymore or can’t stand each other anymore perhaps
to the point of only wanting to hurt each other’s feelings, divorce seems to be the best
strategy (10).
¶4
What about children (11)? That’s the hardest factor in deciding to divorce (12). Children
do thrive better when their parents are together (13). I remain, however, a little bit
1
skeptical, especially considering the possible short- and long-term emotional and social
e↵ects on children when their parents can’t stand each other anymore (14). Isn’t it the
children’s right, too, to experience that their parents are happy individuals unrestrained by
their marital statuses (15)? And don’t children th.
Design of Financial Services and Products
Depends on
Flat Earth Policy - See: Friedman
The World is Flat
Terra Firma Economics.com and
Terra Policy - Pool Re - Swiss Re - Admin Re - Banking on Accord
Category theory is general abolute nonsensPawel Szulc
Happened to be part of conversation recently that you did not get or the library which README.md was to obscure because it consistently kept on using those weird phrases? "Typeclasses", "semigroups", "monoids", "applicatives" - they all seem so weird, so academic, so pointlessly detached from the real-world problems. But then again, they pop up here and there in conversations (especially if talk to functional programmers). So are they really irrelevant. Is knowing them is just an academic exercise or do they have a real applications? Well, you have to join this talk to see and judge it for yourself.
Intention of this talk is not to give just raw definitions of such terms as 'monoid' or 'functor'. The more important question (rarely explained in other talks & tutorials) is what are the motivations behind those concepts. And this is exactly what we want to discover.
Preferable audience for this talk are people who:
- want to stay relevant to the continuously changing industry
- confuse their wives/husbands/boyfriends/girlfriends ("You know honey, a monad is just a monoid in the category of endofunctors")
- sound smart on the next job interview
Discover various methods for clearing negative entities from your space and spirit, including energy clearing techniques, spiritual rituals, and professional assistance. Gain practical knowledge on how to implement these techniques to restore peace and harmony. For more information visit here: https://www.reikihealingdistance.com/negative-entity-removal/
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
2 Peter 3: Because some scriptures are hard to understand and some will force them to say things God never intended, Peter warns us to take care.
https://youtu.be/nV4kGHFsEHw
Why is this So? ~ Do Seek to KNOW (English & Chinese).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma teaching of Kamma-Vipaka (Intentional Actions-Ripening Effects).
A Presentation for developing morality, concentration and wisdom and to spur us to practice the Dhamma diligently.
The texts are in English and Chinese.
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
2. teleological argument
is an a posteriori argument in that it starts with our
experience of the world, especially those things
which strike us as having been designed, and
works from there
‘teleological’ derived from the greek word telos
which means “end”
also called the “argument from design”
presumes there is some purpose that is
demonstrated in the world
this Purpose necessitates a Designer
3. design inference patterns
[Q] p. 87, first statement by cleanthes
articulates the basic idea
there are a variety of different forms the
argument can take
analogical design arguments
deductive design arguments
abductive design arguments
4. analogical design argument
(1) entity e within nature (or the cosmos, or nature itself) is like
specified human artifact a (e.g., a machine) in relevant respects R.
(2) a has R precisely because it is a product of deliberate design by
intelligent human agency.
(3) like effects typically have like causes (or like explanations, like
existence requirements, etc.)
therefore:
(4) it is (highly) probable that e has R precisely because it too is a
product of deliberate design by intelligent, relevantly human-like
agency.
relevant respects and properties R are referred to variously as teleological
properties or as marks or signs of design, and objects having such
properties are sometimes referred to as teleological objects
5. objections to analogical argument
there is not enough similarity for the analogy to
work
cannot argue from the parts to the whole
we learn about artifacts requiring a designer based upon
multiple experiences which we are able to compare, but
there is only one universe, and, hence, we are unable to
compare one against our experience of several
most importantly, we all recognize human artifacts as
different from other objects “in the wild,” and this is the
very thing that demonstrates that they are, in fact, artifacts
6. continued:
our attempt at this reasoning results in a god who is very un-
Godlike; the analogy is strongest when God is most like us
remove infinity (cause should be proportionate to the effects, and the
effects are clearly finite)
remove perfection (our experience, the thing we use to get to the idea of
design, see flaws and imperfection everywhere. if we assume our
understanding of our experience to be flawed, then we have no reason for
believing we can ever make the leap necessary for this argument to work)
remove unity (there is no reason there must be only one designer)
remove immortality (men are mortal and must, necessarily, reproduce to
continue the species)
might as well make “god” completely human-like, and then we have no
reason for worship at all
7. deductive design argument
(1) some things in nature (or nature itself, the cosmos) are
design-like (exhibit a cognition-resonating, intention-shaped
character R)
(2) design-like properties (R) are not producible by
(unguided) natural means—i.e., any phenomenon exhibiting
such Rs must be a product of intentional design.
therefore:
(3) some things in nature (or nature itself, the cosmos) are
products of intentional design. and of course, the capacity for
intentional design requires agency of some type.
though paley’s argument appears inductive (and parts are),
this is a better presentation of the form
8. objections to deductive argument
there is not really a problem with the first
premise. indeed, many things do appear to
be design-like
problem is in the second premise; it relies
on an unstated inductive argument
this argument is susceptible to all the problems
of the first inductive argument
9. abductive design argument
the surprising fact, C, is observed:
but if A were true, C would be a matter of
course,
hence:
there is reason to suspect that A is true.
a Designer is seen as the best explanation
to the question of why things appear
designed
10. objections to abductive argument
always reasons to the best explanation, and this
means it beats out its competitors in terms of
explanatory value (e.g. predictive value,
conciseness, simplicity, etc)
there are other explanations which seem to make more
sense given all the information
one possible explanation is that our species is predisposed
to see regularities and “design,” and this is why we see
faces in clouds, etc
most troubling would be a supernatural explanation for
what started out as an explicitly natural question