Teleological Argument Learning Outcomes To know Aquinas’ fifth way To explain Aquinas’ arrow analogy

Example– Bin Shoot When paper is crumpled, ripped and finished with, we throw it in the recycling bin Have a go at throwing the unused paper into the bin Could the paper have got into the bin by itself? The ‘aim’ of getting the paper into the bin had to be helped by an intelligent being - YOU

Aquinas’ Fifth Way – from analogy Things that lack intelligence, such as living organisms, have an end (a purpose). Things that lack intelligence cannot move towards their end/purpose unless they are directed by someone with knowledge and intelligence. For example, an arrow does not direct itself towards its target, but needs an archer to fire it. (Conclusion) Therefore (by analogy) there must be some intelligent being which directs all unintelligent natural things towards their end. This being we call God.

Fifth way conclusion… Unintelligent objects (such as an____) can only be aimed towards a goal (such as a ______) with the guiding hand of an _________ being (such as an archer).

Aquinas’ example ‘Goal directed behaviour is observed in all bodies obeying natural laws, even when they lack awareness...But nothing lacking awareness can tend to a goal except it be directed by someone with awareness and understanding; the arrow, for example, requires an archer. Everything in nature, therefore is directed to its goal by someone with understanding, and this we call God.’

Aquinas is arguing that the world is like an arrow shot from an archer’s bow. It has direction and purpose behind it and it is moving towards a goal. Every thing in nature operates in what appears to be a purposeful manner with a sense of direction. An acorn has the goal of becoming an oak tree and will behave in such a way as to fulfill this purpose. It has no intelligence of its own and must therefore have been designed to behave like this by an intelligent designer. This is God. Think of another example of purpose from nature

Aristotle and Aquinas Aristotle’s example of ‘end/purpose’ in nature E.g. a duck has webbed feet – Aristotle argues so they might swim better. He says that every living organism has a function aimed at some purpose

Aristotle and Aquinas Aquinas accepts Aristotle’s belief that organisms have a purpose or function, but he rejects Aristotle’s view that it could come about naturally. He says that there must be an intelligence behind the function or organisms – somebody must have arranged the world so that ducks ended up with an efficient paddling mechanism for a reason.

Aquinas: Fifth way You tube clip How was Aquinas influenced by Aristotle’s thoughts on the 4 causes, material, formal, efficient and final causes? You only need to know the efficient and final causes and the relationship between the two What does an ‘intelligent’ designer mean?

Design Qua Regularity Qua= Latin word meaning ‘relating to’. Design qua regularity = design by virtue of regularity. TASK: Read ‘Design Qua Regularity’ on the next slide Summarise how Aquinas’ argument is design qua regularity

Design Qua regularity: This element of the theory looks at design in relation to the regularity and order of the universe It aligns to the idea that, planets, gasses, the Sun and Moon and natural things in the world have a sense of order and regularity (i.e. rotation of the planets) Someone must have given it that sense of order and arrangement (it didn’t/couldn’t arrange itself) This must suggest a designer Write a paragraph to explain Design Qua Regularity

Consolidation activity Why do you think this way is called ‘From the Governance of the world’?

Criticisms and strengths Preparation for AO2 Think, discuss in pairs and feedback to the class What are the problems with Aquinas’ theory What might be the strengths of Aquinas’ theory

Design Argument Lesson 2 Learning Objectives Analyse the Design Argument for the existence of God Learning Outcomes To know Aquinas’ fifth way To explain Aquinas’ arrow analogy