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Paley Argument By Analogy

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Paley Argument By Analogy
William Paley was an English clergyman and philosopher in the 1700s who was engaged in natural theology to prove the existence of God. Paley utilized the “argument by analogy” approach and compared a watch and an eye as an example to argue for the existence of an intelligent, higher being as a designer.
Paley’s argument is that a watch is made by a designer. A watch and an eye are both complex and well ordered, thus concluding that an eye is made by a designer. There is a distinction between the two designers, as the designer of the watch is human and the designer of the eye is a higher being. In this argument, a watch is used to portray an object that has complexity about its functioning. The eye is used to suggest that humans and natural beings are more intricate and complex than a watch, thus leading to the belief in a higher being of greater power and ability than a human. This argument proves that a watch is a complex object that requires creation by a designer and an eye requires a more intelligent designer. …show more content…
This argument is that biological organisms and parts exhibit ordered complexity and purpose. The best explanation of their ordered complexity and function is that they are designed by an intelligent designer. Thus, we have good reason to believe that biological organisms or parts are designed by an intelligent designer. This argument concludes that biological organisms are far too complex to have simply appeared, and therefore an intelligent designer is required to create biological organisms. The intricacy of biological organisms today suggests that a higher power intervened in the beginning of time to create complex beings. Biological organisms display a composition and function of great complexity which suggests a higher being as a
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