The Design Argument

Religious Studies: KS3, topic 2.6.4

The design argument is a philosophical argument for the existence of God. It is based on the wonder of the universe.

William Paley is the philosopher who put forward the design argument.
To begin, Paley used the example of a watch.
The mechanism of a watch is so complex that you are certain that someone designed it and then constructed it.
No one would look at a watch and conclude that it is just something that exists without any further explanation.

Next, Paley considered the natural world. He used the example of the human eye.
Paley argued that the human eye is something incredibly intricate.
The complex structure of the eye is perfectly designed to ensure people can see clearly.
The whole thing is so clever that we must conclude that the eye was also designed by a very intelligent designer.

Finally, Paley considered the universe as a whole and all the complex things that we find there.
The eye is only one part of human beings, who are very complex.
So is the whole solar system!
The delicate balance of elements that exist on Earth is another complex wonder. For example, the balance of air and water, which makes life possible.
So, do we not come to the conclusion that all this, human beings and the whole universe, was designed by someone?

Paley finishes the design argument by returning to the watch example.
We know that watches are designed by watchmakers.
So, the whole universe must also have had a designer with supreme intelligence and power.
This is an argument by analogy. Analogy means that what is true for one complex thing (the watch) is then also true for another (the universe).
Paley says the designer of the universe must be God. So, Paley argues that the design argument proves the existence of God.

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