Stephen Hawking's 'Grand Design' Book: Big Bang Theory Quiz

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

According to Aquinas' teleological argument, why does he believe that an intelligent being is required to bring final purpose to non-intelligent entities in the universe?

Because non-intelligent entities lack the ability to change their behavior to support human life.
Because non-intelligent entities have no awareness of human life.
Because non-intelligent entities cannot choose to produce support for human life on their own. (correct)
Because non-intelligent entities are incapable of adapting to the needs of human life.

In Paley's Watch Analogy, what does he use the example of the watch to illustrate?

The inevitability of complex objects evolving from natural events.
The need for intelligent design in the creation of complex objects. (correct)
The randomness of natural events in the creation of complex objects.
The limitations of human understanding when observing complex objects.

How does Paley address natural evil in his teleological argument?

By proposing that natural evil is a sign of the absence of an intelligent designer.
By suggesting that natural evil is necessary for the development and growth of human life.
By asserting that even if the world does not completely work properly, it still requires a designer. (correct)
By emphasizing that natural evil is a result of flaws in the design of the world.

According to Tennant, why does the appreciation of beauty in humanity suggest the existence of an intelligent designer?

Because beauty has little survival value and must have been designed from another source. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is Hume's objection known as the 'Fallacy of Composition' in the context of the cosmological argument?

Hume concedes that everything in the universe follows the rule of cause and effect, but objects to applying this rule to the creation of the universe. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Hume's objection about 'Meaningfulness' suggest in relation to humanity's knowledge about the creation of the universe?

Humanity cannot possibly know who or what created the universe due to lack of direct experience. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Chaos Theory, what is the nature of atomic particle movement?

Random with no order or design (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Hume's criticism about using human analogies to prove the teleological argument suggest?

It implies the involvement of multiple designers rather than a single one (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'Big Bang Theory' challenge inductive arguments for the existence of God?

It rejects the existence of a divine creator by explaining the origin of the universe through science (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the cosmological argument and the teleological argument?

The cosmological argument is based on causes, while the teleological argument is based on design. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of teleological argument is associated with the idea that the world/universe is too ordered/regulated to have come about by chance?

Design Qua Regularity (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind the second type of teleological argument, Design Qua Purpose?

Objects like eyes have too specific a purpose to have come about by chance, therefore they must have a designer. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What did Paley argue about the complex design in nature?

It is evidence of an intelligent designing creator, i.e., God. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Tennant's Anthropic Principle suggest about the universe?

It indicates the existence of an intelligent designer (i.e., God). (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Tennant's Aesthetic Principle in relation to creation?

It shows that humans are unique in their ability to appreciate beauty, suggesting an intelligent designer. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Arthur Brown use as evidence of order/regularity in nature in his modern take of the teleological argument?

The thickness of the Ozone Layer (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which modern scientific criticism potentially supports Hume's first criticism of the cosmological argument?

Oscillating Universe Theory (C) Signup and view all the answers

In Michael Denton's modern version of the teleological argument, what does he deduce as far too complex to have just evolved?

The complexity of a human cell (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which criticism of the teleological argument potentially supports Hume’s second criticism?

The Chaos Theory (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Hume's first criticism of the teleological argument, why does he reject the use of human-based analogies like houses and watches?

Because the universe has greater similarities to living organisms such as plants and animals, which do not need a human designer. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What ancient argument does Hume refer to when he argues that the universe may be in chaos and not necessarily designed?

The Epicurean Hypothesis (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is Hume's main objection to the cosmological argument's assertion that 'the first causer must be God'?

The cosmological argument is based on a-priori logical deduction rather than empirical evidence. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Stephen Hawking's explanation in the 'Grand Design', why is it not necessary to create a God for the big bang?

The laws of physics made the big bang an inevitable consequence (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Charles Darwin's theory of evolution challenge the teleological argument?

It proposes that random mutations and natural selection lead to the adaption of species (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the strengths of inductive arguments, such as the cosmological and teleological arguments?

They rely on empirical/a-posteriori evidence (C) Signup and view all the answers