Argument from Design: Outline
The argument from design is probably one of the most popular arguments in support of theism today. While the rest of Aquinas' arguments may be considered outdated, different versions of Aquinas' argument from design are still used today under the term intelligent design. Aquinas' fifth way is also called the teleological argument given that it involves teleology, or the study of purpose, ends, and goals in natural processes.
- Natural, unintelligent bodies work towards some consistent goal/end
- This end, therefore, is not the product of chance but of intention and design
- Intention and design are facets of intelligence
- Nature must therefore be directed by some intelligent being that we call God
Argument from Design: Explained
Aquinas' fifth way is best summed up in a classic example. Whenever an arrow hits a target, it hits the target because it was directed by an intelligent being. An arrow has no hope of hitting a target by chance because it's unintelligent and inanimate. Likewise, other nonintelligent things exist in the world, and yet they seem to consistently meet a particular end. Certain trees bear fruit. Seeds grow into trees. There seems to be order and purpose within the universe, and order and purpose aren't qualities of chance; they're qualities of intelligence. If you were to walk into a room and see a pile of books perfectly stacked upon one another, you would conclude that someone must've stacked the books.
Objections
The Problem of Evil
If everything in the universe is by design, evil must also be by design. How do we reconcile a perfect being with flaws in that perfect being's design? Do the flaws of what is designed not say something about the designer? Does the poor craftmanship of a wardrobe not indicate the craftmans inexperience?
Sources
Archie, Lee C, "Thomas Aquinas, 'The Argument From Design,'" Philosophy of Religion, June 26, 2006.
Dawkins, Richard. The God Delusion. Black Swan, 2016.
Gracyk, Theodore. "St. Thomas Aquinas: The Existence of God Can Be Proved in Five Ways." Aquinas: Five Ways to Prove That God Exists -- The Arguments.