Arguments Based On Observation: Cosmological & Teleological arguments OCR A-Level Religious Studies

An exploration of philosophical arguments for God’s existence, including cosmological and teleological arguments, and key criticisms of a-posteriori arguments.

This topic examines philosophical arguments for the existence of God that rely on observation (a-posteriori reasoning). It focuses mainly on the Cosmological Argument and the Teleological (Design) Argument, along with key criticisms and evaluations.

1. Introduction to Arguments Based on Observation

• The use of human reason and observation to infer the existence of God and examples
• The difference between a priori and a posteriori arguments
• The role of logic, causation, and explanation in philosophical theology

1. The Cosmological Argument

• The Cosmological Argument attempts to explain why anything exists at all.
• Aquinas’ argument: from motion, causation and contingency
• The Kalam argument

1. Challenges to the Cosmological Argument

• David Hume’s critique of causation
• The possibility of an infinite regress
• Bertrand Russell’s rejection of the need for a first cause and the Coppleston debate
• Scientific challenges, including quantum theory and cosmology

1. The Teleological (Design) Argument

• The argument from design based on order, purpose, and regularity
• William Paley’s Watchmaker Analogy
• The inference from design to a designer
• Design in nature and the universe
• FR Tennant arguments: Goldilocks Theory (the Anthropic principle) and the Aesthetic principle

1. Criticisms of the Design Argument

• David Hume’s criticisms
• Darwinian evolution as an alternative explanation
• Chance vs necessity

1. Evaluation and Debate

• Are reason-based arguments sufficient to justify belief in God?
• Strengths and limitations of a-posteriori arguments
• Whether these arguments remain persuasive in modern philosophy

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