Barry's Blog

The Teleological Argument
(Design/Designer Argument)

August 26, 2007

Here are various forms of this argument:

Form #1 (Set forth in two basic parts)

Argument for Design -

1. If order and adjustment exist, then design exists.
2. Order and adjustment exist.
3. Therefore, design exists.

Argument for a Designer -

1. If design exists, then something (or someone) capable of effecting that design exists.
2. Design exists.
3. Therefore, something (or someone) capable of effecting that design exists.

The arguments are valid in form and will become sound if the premises are true. A close examination reveals that it is premise #2 of argument #1 that needs to be proven true in order for both arguments to be sound. Therefore, the burden of the theist is to demonstrate the veracity of premise #2 in argument #1.

...

1. The universe displays a staggering amount of intelligibility both within the things we observe and in the way these things relate to others outside themselves. That is to say: the way they exist and coexist displays an intricately beautiful order and regularity that can fill even the most casual observer with wonder. It is the norm in nature for many different beings to work together to produce the same valuable end - for example, the organs in the body work for our life and health.
2. Either this intelligible order is the product of chance or the product of intelligent design.
3. Not chance. For less (no order) cannot cause more (order).
4. Therefore the universe is the product of intelligent design.
5. Design comes only from a mind, a designer.
6. Therefore, the universe is the product of an intelligent Designer.
   
   (Pocket Handbook of Christian Apologetics, Kreeft & Tacelli, 21)

Form #3

1. If a thing contains information, then an intelligent being must exist who has the ability to act upon the thing to inform it.
2. The simplest living cells contain enormous amounts of information within them.
3. Therefore, an intelligent being must exist who has the ability to act upon the thing so as to inform it.

Explained further and elaborated upon:

1. Before there were any life forms at all in the universe, there must have been an intelligent being capable of informing cells, for uninformed cells cannot and do not produce living beings.
2. In fact, the information content of the cell (DNA molecule) determines whether one will be a man, a mouse or a mashed potato.
3. Now, if such simple statements as “the un-cola” or “Coke, the real thing” convince us that they had an intelligent source, then how could rational men refuse to recognize the same connection with reference to the highly complex information packets found in living things? These information packets imply an intelligent source.
4. Therefore, there must be an intelligent being who is capable of acting upon those cells as to inform them - this being we call “God.” - Dick Sztanyo.

Form #4

1. X is too (complex, orderly, adaptive, apparently purposeful, and/or beautiful) to have occurred randomly or accidentally.
2. Therefore, X must have been created by a (sentient, intelligent, wise, and/or purposeful) being. God is that (sentient, intelligent, wise, and/or purposeful) being.
3. .Therefore, God exists.

X usually stands for the universe, the evolution process, humankind, a given animal species, or a particular organ like the eye or capability like language in humans. X may also stand for the fundamental constants of the universe like physical constants and physical law. Sometimes this argument is also based on the anthropic principle that these constants seem tuned specifically to allow intelligent life to evolve. One can also leave the question of the attributes of a hypothesized "Designer" completely open, yielding the following simple formulation:

• Complexity implies a designer.
• The universe is highly complex.
• Therefore, the universe has a Designer. - Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleological_argument)