- The deisgn proof, at best, establishes the existence of many Gods

- Design proof is not based on experience 

- No one has seen a universe being built

- There is a disanalogy between the universe and an artifact (watch)

CONCLUSION: The universe may be more like an organism than an artifact

- Criticizes the design proof based ono Aquinas' eye example

- Aquinas's eye deisgn could have been exlained by natural selection

- Even if the design proof were correct, it would at most establish the existence of a finite God with respect to power, knowledge, and benevolence.

Attempt to induce investigation into the God question on the part of the non-believers who have not bothered to investigate.

- This is achieved by:

a) Making the person aware of the hopelessness off the human condition (our lives are insignificant and we know nothing)

b) By not trying to convert them since all proofs of God beg the question.

Outline of the Cosmological Proof of God's Existence

A Priori

Principle: Independent beings are those whose existence is self explained and dependent beings are those whos existence is dependent on that of others

P1: All beings are either dependent or independent

P2: Not all beings are dependent or you would have infinite regress

CONCLUSION: There is at least one independent being > God

Outline of Paley's Version of the Design (teleological) Argument

A Posteriori

P1: The universe is like a watch in that they both have a design

P2: A watch also has a purpose and a maker

P3: Anthing with a design has a purpose and a maker

CONCLUSION: The universe likely has a maker

1. Argument From Motion
2. Argument from efficient casues
3. Argument from contingency
4. Argument from purpose
5. Argument from knowledge of perfection

- makes use of the concept of infinite regress

Assumes: At least one being is in motion

P1: Anything that is in motion must be moved by another that is itself in motion

P2: At least one is in motion, it must have been moved by something that is already in motion => infinite regress (impossible)

Conclusion: there must exist a mover that is unmoved (GOD)

- Similar to argument from motion

- Every event has a cause

- The cause precedes the effect and is distinct from the effect and is itself an event

- infinite regresses are impossible

CONCLUSION: There must be an uncaused cause (GOD)

God exists or he doesn't

- If I wager that God does exist then:

a) I am rewarded if he exists

b) Nothing happens if he doesn't

- If I wager that God does not exist then:

a) I face eternal damnation if he exists

b) Nothing happens if he doesn't exist

CONCLUSION: It is rational to believe in God

Outline of the Ontological argument for God's existence

A Priori

Definition: God is that being than which none is greater

Principle: It is greater to exist in reality than just in the mind

P1: god exists only in the mind

P2: Than God would be greater than he actually is = contradict

CONCLUSION: God exists in reality

Contingent Being: Has a beginning and an end

Necessary Being: Has always existed

- If we suppose that all beings are contingent than we would get to the conclusion that something came from nothing => Not possible

- CONCLUSION: There is at least one necessary being => God