Reconsidering William Paley’s natural theology: an analysis of arguments from design to intelligent design

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2010

Author

Önkal, Güncel

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The aim of this study is to analyze the arguments from design to intelligent design and to present the main philosophical aspects of design arguments. Without examining the conceptual background of design arguments, it is not possible to understand their roles in philosophy, theology and science. To this aim, first the philosophical usage of the argument is explained into three categories: argument from design, argument to design and intelligent design. Next, in order to provide a deeper analysis, William Paley’s Natural Theology in its closer relation of the natural sciences and theological discourse are examined. Lastly, through the philosophy and metaphysics of design, the framework of intelligent design is discussed. Consequently, the process of design arguments can be analyzed through the concept of intelligence rather than design in the history of philosophy since it is closely related to the religious and scientific way of understanding of nature. William Paley’s argument to design is, thus, a fragile point between the classical and contemporary versions of design arguments.

Subject Keywords

Natural theology., Intelligent design (Teleology)

URI

http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12612237/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/20013

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis

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Citation Formats

G. Önkal, “ Reconsidering William Paley’s natural theology: an analysis of arguments from design to intelligent design,” Ph.D. - Doctoral Program, Middle East Technical University, 2010.