The Teleological Argument Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the basic form of Collins’ fine-tuning argument?

  • The fine-tuning of the universe has no bearing on the argument for theism
  • The universe is fine-tuned for the existence of intelligent life, which is best explained by theism (correct)
  • The universe is fine-tuned for the existence of intelligent life, which is best explained by atheism
  • The universe is not fine-tuned for the existence of intelligent life, which weakens the argument for theism

    • Is the teleological argument an a priori argument or an a posteriori argument?

  • A priori
  • Both a priori and a posteriori
  • A posteriori (correct)
  • Neither a priori nor a posteriori

    • According to Collins, does the fact that we exist show that our existence is not surprising given atheism?

  • Our existence cannot be explained by atheism
  • Yes, our existence is not surprising given atheism
  • No, our existence is surprising given atheism (correct)
  • Our existence has no relevance to theism or atheism

    • What does Al Ghazali’s cosmological argument suggest about the universe?

    <p>It is subject to origination and began to exist</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which premise of the argument for the conclusion that the universe began to exist is supported by Hilbert’s Hotel thought experiment?

    <p>An infinite temporal regress of physical events is an actual infinite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Samuel Clarke’s PSR principle?

    <p>Principle of Sufficient Reason</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Clarke’s PSR principle, what sort of being doesn’t exist?

    <p>A being that exists without a sufficient reason</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are David Hume’s main objections to Clarke’s cosmological argument?

    <p>It assumes causation without justification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does Paley think that one infers the existence of a designer when one finds a watch in the wilderness?

    <p>Due to the complexity and purpose evident in the watch</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Is the teleological argument (as developed by Cicero, Aquinas, Paley, and Collins) an a priori argument or an a posteriori argument?

    <p>A posteriori argument</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are some of Philo’s/Hume’s principle objections to teleological arguments?

    <p>They presuppose a designer without evidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Collins, does the fact that we exist show that our existence is not surprising given atheism?

    <p>Yes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Suppose that fine-tuning is good evidence in favor of theism. Is that compatible with the falsity of theism?

    <p>No</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What kind of argument is Anselm’s ontological argument, a priori or a posteriori?

    <p>A priori</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to C. S. Lewis, we are forced to believe… what?

    <p>In the existence of a moral law-giver</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What sort of argument does Pascal offer for belief in God?

    <p>Pragmatic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'many gods' objection to Pascal’s wager?

    <p>It suggests that there could be multiple gods with different wagers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one way that Pascal could respond to the 'many gods' objection to his argument?

    <p>By arguing for the uniqueness and superiority of the Christian God</p> Signup and view all the answers

    True or false: Pascal maintains that if you wager for God and lose, you will be no worse off than if you had wagered against God.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does Pascal insist that 'you must bet' either on the existence of God or the non-existence of God?

    <p>Because the consequences of belief or disbelief are significant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Clifford, why is the second shipowner blameworthy?

    <p>Because he acted against evidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Clifford’s fundamental principle governing rational belief?

    <p>Evidentialism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to James, what does it mean for an option to be 'live'?

    <p>It means that the option is significant or important</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are the commandments 'Believe truth.' and 'Shun error.' distinct according to James?

    <p>Because belief and avoidance serve different purposes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are some of the main criticisms Kelly James Clark directs against Classical Foundationalism?

    <p>It neglects the interconnectedness of beliefs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Kelly James Clark, when is peer disagreement relevant to whether belief in p is rational?

    <p>When the peers are equally competent and have access to the same evidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    True or False: According to Al Ghazali’s cosmological argument, the universe is ‘subject to origination’—that is, it began to exist.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hilbert’s Hotel is a thought experiment that can be used to support which premise of the argument for the conclusion that the universe began to exist?

    <p>An infinite temporal regress of physical events is an actual infinite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Samuel Clarke’s PSR principle?

    <p>Principle of Sufficient Reason</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What sort of being doesn’t exist according to Clarke’s PSR principle?

    <p>A being that exists without a sufficient reason</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are David Hume’s main objections to Clarke’s cosmological argument?

    <p>Hume denies the existence of a necessary being</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an actual infinite according to the argument for the conclusion that the universe began to exist?

    <p>A collection of definite and discrete elements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the basic form of Collins’ fine-tuning argument?

    <p>The fine-tuning of the universe for life is due to either physical necessity, chance, or design</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What kind of argument does Pascal offer for belief in God?

    <p>Pragmatic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'many gods' objection to Pascal’s wager?

    <p>It suggests that there are multiple gods with different requirements for belief</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Pascal, if you wager for God and lose, what does he maintain?

    <p>You will be no worse off than if you had wagered against God</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does Pascal insist that 'you must bet' either on the existence of God or the non-existence of God?

    <p>To highlight the consequences of not choosing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the second shipowner blameworthy according to Clifford?

    <p>For acting against rational belief</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Clifford’s fundamental principle governing rational belief?

    <p>It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to James, when is it rational to believe a proposition in the absence of evidence?

    <p>When the option is forced, live, and momentous</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does James hold that 'Believe truth.' and 'Shun error.' are two distinct commandments?

    <p>To balance the pursuit of truth with the avoidance of falsehood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Fine-Tuning Argument

    • The basic form of Collins' fine-tuning argument is that the fine-tuning of the universe is evidence for theism.
    • Collins argues that the fact that we exist does not show that our existence is not surprising given atheism.

    Teleological Argument

    • The teleological argument is an a posteriori argument.
    • According to Cicero, Aquinas, Paley, and Collins, the teleological argument suggests that the existence of a designer can be inferred from the existence of a complex entity, such as a watch.

    Cosmological Argument

    • Al Ghazali's cosmological argument suggests that the universe began to exist.
    • Hilbert's Hotel thought experiment supports the premise that the universe began to exist.
    • According to Samuel Clarke's PSR principle, every being that exists must have a sufficient reason or explanation for its existence.
    • David Hume's main objections to Clarke's cosmological argument are that it is based on a flawed understanding of causality and that it cannot establish the existence of a single, all-powerful deity.

    Pascal's Wager

    • Pascal's wager is an argument for belief in God based on the idea that the potential benefits of believing in God outweigh the potential costs, even if the probability of God's existence is low.
    • The 'many gods' objection to Pascal's wager is that it is arbitrary to assume that only one deity exists.
    • One way Pascal could respond to the 'many gods' objection is to argue that the benefits of believing in one deity outweigh the benefits of believing in multiple deities.
    • Pascal maintains that if you wager for God and lose, you will be no worse off than if you had wagered against God.
    • Pascal insists that 'you must bet' either on the existence of God or the non-existence of God because the stakes are so high.

    Epistemology

    • According to Clifford, the second shipowner is blameworthy because he has neglected his duty to seek out evidence and has instead made a blind leap of faith.
    • Clifford's fundamental principle governing rational belief is that it is wrong to believe anything without sufficient evidence.
    • According to James, an option is 'live' if it is a real possibility that is relevant to our current situation.
    • James holds that the commandments 'Believe truth.' and 'Shun error.' are two distinct commandments because they reflect different values and goals.
    • Kelly James Clark criticizes Classical Foundationalism for being overly rigid and dogmatic.
    • According to Kelly James Clark, peer disagreement is relevant to whether belief in p is rational if the disagreement is between people who have carefully considered the evidence and have come to different conclusions.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of the teleological argument with this quiz. Explore the a priori and a posteriori aspects, objections raised by Philo and Hume, and Collins' perspective on the existence of life in relation to atheism.

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