1. Christian Philosophy and Applied Ethics
Reasons for Christian belief in God
Brockwell

2. Teleological Argument/argument from design
Albert Einstein said ‘ When I see all the glories of the cosmos, I cannot help to believe that there was a divine hand behind it all.’
(Awe inspiring)

3. By the end of the lesson you should be able to…
Must
explain William Paley’s watch analogy and how it relates to the idea of design
understand the design (teleological) argument for the existence of God
appreciate and discuss some of the strengths and weaknesses of the argument
Should
Could

4. Key words:
Cosmological Argument – first cause
Teleological Argument – argument from design
Purpose – things appear to be connected
William Paley – watch analogy
Isaac Newton – thumb print
Richard Dawkins – Atheist/scientist
Thomas Aquinas – Cosmological Argument

5. Design Which of these three is the odd one out?

6. Evidence of design in the world
What is design?
When things are connected and seem to have a purpose: for example the eye is designed for seeing.
What evidence is there of design in the world?
Evidence of design in the world

7. Draw the following table
Aspect of the world/universe
Evidence
of Design
Reason
The whole universe
or 
Can’t have just happened by chance

8. Is this evidence for purposeful design in world??
Spiral Galaxy
disk containing stars, gas and dust
The Complexity of nature?

9. 9

10. Is this evidence for purposeful design in world??
Isaac Newton’s thumb
The Complexity of nature
‘In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of the existence of God’.
The human immune system

11. Is this evidence for purposeful design in world?
CO2
The Complexity of nature

12. Is this evidence for purposeful design in world??
The Complexity of nature?
DNA - the blueprint of life
(Double Helix Structure)

13. Is this evidence for purposeful design in world??
The Complexity of nature?
blend in with their surroundings.

14. Key ‘chap’ - William Paley
He said,
Imagine finding a watch in the street, if you had never seen one before
On examining it, you would be amazed at its complicated inner workings
You might assume there must have been a watchmaker who designed and put it together.
It’s the same when you look at the world. It is designed, it is ordered, it is intricate
It could not have been made by chance. It is so complicated yet everything fits perfectly into place
Therefore the world needs a world-maker/creator
This creator is God
This explains the design in the world

15. To do…
Draw a watch and in your own words explain Paley’s Watch argument for the existence of God.
Create a flow diagram to explain how the appearance of design may lead to, or support, belief in God.

16. Problems with the design argument??
Bad design?
Natural Disasters
Cruelty
Designer = God(s)
Disease
Psychopaths

17. Problems with the design argument http://video. google. com/videoplay
Let Richard Dawkins explain (14-18)
His message is based on the work of Charles Darwin who said that humans evolved through a mechanism of natural selection.
The animals that survive adapt to the environment better.
Can you think of an example: Explain how evolution worked for this animal.

18. Demonstrate your learning
What are the problems with the argument?
Explain what you think about the design argument?

19. Homework – due next lesson
‘The design argument proves that God exists’
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion
Give reasons why some people may disagree with you…

20. 6 mark question – How your marks are calculated.
Level 0
No evidence submitted or response does not address the question.
Level 1
1-2
A weak attempt to answer the question.
Candidates will demonstrate little understanding of the question.
A small amount of relevant information may be included
Answers may be in the form of a list with little or no description/explanation/analysis
There will be little or no use of specialist terms
Answers may be ambiguous or disorganised
Errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling may be intrusive
Level 2
3-4
A satisfactory answer to the question.
Candidates will demonstrate some understanding of the question.
Information will be relevant but may lack specific detail
There will be some description/explanation/analysis although this may not be fully developed
The information will be presented for the most part in a structured format
Some use of specialist terms, although these may not always be used appropriately
There may be errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation

21. Level 3
5-6
A good answer to the question.
Candidates will demonstrate a clear understanding of the question.
A fairly complete and full description/explanation/analysis
A comprehensive account of the range and depth of relevant material.
The information will be presented in a structured format
There will be significant, appropriate and correct use of specialist terms.
There will be few if any errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation

23. Pretend you are God and write a response to this prayer
What is the main problem with praying?
Dear Lord,
Why is there so much trouble in the world? Please can you come down and sort it out!
How do Christians respond to this?