The Teleological Argument

The Teleological Argument

In this course, Professor John Cottingham (University of Reading) explores the teleological argument. In the first module, we introduce Aquinas’ teleological argument from regularity in the universe. In the second module, we examine various conceptions of harmony and order in the world. In the third module, we look at William Paley’s argument from design, using the analogy of a watch. In the fourth module, we explore David Hume’s objections to design type arguments, based on the limitations of analogous claims and causal inferences. In the fifth module, we come to examine the rise of Darwinism, before investigating ‘fine tuning’ in the sixth module. In the seventh module we evaluate teleological arguments, and the extent to which they help to ground belief in a personal God.

The Teleological Argument

In this module, we introduce the teleological argument, focusing in particular on (i) the meaning of telos (ii) Aquinas’ teleological argument (iii) the influence of Aristotle’s philosophy on Aquinas (iv) critiques of Aquinas’ second premise from modern biological science.