This HTML5 document contains 28 embedded RDF statements represented using HTML+Microdata notation.

The embedded RDF content will be recognized by any processor of HTML5 Microdata.

Subject Item

n2:

rdfs:label

Teleological Argument Teleological argument

rdfs:comment

A teleological argument, or argument from design, is an argument for the existence of God or a creator based on perceived evidence of order, purpose, design, or direction — or some combination of these — in nature. The word "teleological" is derived from the Greek word telos, meaning "end" or "purpose". Teleology is the supposition that there is purpose or directive principle in the works and processes of nature. Immanuel Kant called this argument the Physico–theological proof. The Teleological Argument attempts to show that certain features of the world indicate that it is the fruit of intentional Divine design. The most common form is the argument from biological design, paradigmatically presented by William Paley in his Watchmaker Argument. This argument has been refuted by the theory of evolution through natural selection. Other issues other than design may indicate a Mind underlying the universe. The most relevant, perhaps, is the Argument from Cosmic Beauty.

owl:sameAs

dbr:Teleological_argument

dcterms:subject

n8: n9: n11: n12: n14: n16: n24:

n3:wikiPageUsesTemplate

n4: n13: n15: n18: n19: n20: n23: n25: n26: n27: n28: n29: n30:

n5:wikiPageUsesTemplate

n6:

n10:abstract

A teleological argument, or argument from design, is an argument for the existence of God or a creator based on perceived evidence of order, purpose, design, or direction — or some combination of these — in nature. The word "teleological" is derived from the Greek word telos, meaning "end" or "purpose". Teleology is the supposition that there is purpose or directive principle in the works and processes of nature. Immanuel Kant called this argument the Physico–theological proof. The Teleological Argument attempts to show that certain features of the world indicate that it is the fruit of intentional Divine design. The most common form is the argument from biological design, paradigmatically presented by William Paley in his Watchmaker Argument. This argument has been refuted by the theory of evolution through natural selection. A more modern teleological argument is the Fine Tuning Argument, which attempts to show that certain features of physics indicate our universe was designed to support life. This is the most serious current teleological argument, and will be handled here. It is closely related to the Anthropic Argument, so that will be discussed first. There is another sort of teleological argument, a metaphysical argument that claims that design cannot arise naturally; even if it arises by natural means, it indicates a designer at the background. This line of thinking is addressed in the discussion the Argument from Reason. Other issues other than design may indicate a Mind underlying the universe. The most relevant, perhaps, is the Argument from Cosmic Beauty.