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Paley's Argument For The Existence Of Intelligent Design

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Paley's Argument For The Existence Of Intelligent Design
Most people observe the world and conclude that there is no doubt an order and design. One such believer was philosopher William Paley, an 18th century English clergymen who concluded that there was an intelligent design of the universe and thus must exist an intelligent designer. Now a commonly used term amongst theologists and philosophers, intelligent design refers to the belief that certain features of the universe can best be explained by a higher cause. While an orderly universe created for man-kind may be the more popular and optimistic opinion, I see disorder and chaos every where I look. From early on in life, I have always seen the world as a place that needs structure brought to it, not something with an innate organization. My color …show more content…
What would you think if you came across a perfectly crafted watch in the middle of the dessert? Philosopher William Paley asked himself the same question and came to the elaborate conclusion of a teleological argument for the existence of an intelligent designer and the order of the universe. In his book, Natural Theology, Paley points out that the complexity of the randomly placed watch proves that there must exist a watch maker. He then makes the connection that the watch and its complexity are synonymous to the universe and it’s supposed design. By this opinion, he concludes that the watch is to a watchmaker as the universe is to a universe maker. Citing the similarities between the watch and the universe, Paley notes that, “Every indication of contrivance, every manifestation of design, which existed in the watch, exists in the works of nature; with the difference, on the side of nature, of being greater or more, and that in a degree which exceeds …show more content…
A purely scientific view is to look at the universe, and using specific observations, recognize that there is an order of evolution and adaptation, but that this order is no more designed for us than it is for a mouse. A religious view is to look at the universe, be awed by it’s complexity and beauty, somewhat ignore the disorderly events, and give a higher power credit for so carefully designing a world for us. Yes…it is far more comforting to believe in a higher being looking out for us, planning and plotting each event that rattles us. Certainly Paley and countless religions have been solaced by this idea. However, with the next natural disaster spiraling towards us at an even faster rate than the last one, it may be time to recognize that we live in a universe of chaos. Regardless of how orderly that chaos is on the outside, it contains an unimaginable power to destroy us all. Not only is forgetting that a grave under appreciation for this powerful natural world, it is a mistake that could cost you your
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