PHL101Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Intelligent Designer, Algorithmic Skeleton, The Blind Watchmaker
Document Summary
We will consider two versions of the argument from design, one due to the philosopher and christian theologian william paley (1743-1805) and the other due to the character cleanthes in the philosopher. Thus, the argument from design, both local and global, is a posteriori. Preliminary remarks: (1) p1l is very plausible let"s grant it. As paley says, the structural complexity and functionality of eyes and such make them appear designed. (2) let"s grant p3l as well. Paley accepts it because he thinks that the order underlying the appearance of design can be explained only by positing a mind that creates it. Darwin"s theory of evolution by natural selection explains this order without positing a creating mind. The explanation proceeds in terms of random genetic mutation and heritable variation. See http://evolution. berkeley. edu/evolibrary/article/evo_01 for a quick primer on the theory of evolution. (see also richard dawkin"s the blind watchmaker for a helpful account of.
