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2015 Paper Topics: Teleological Argument Arguments Against The

2015 Paper Topics: Teleological Argument Arguments Against The

2015 Paper

Topics: Teleological against the for accepting or rejecting the cosmological argument

25. (a) Give two pieces of evidence used to support the teleological argument. 4

 The complexity of the human eye (1 mark). The eye is a famous example of a designed complex structure. It has many elaborate and interlocking parts, all dependent upon one another (1 mark).  DNA structure (1 mark). Messages transmitted by DNA in the cell show “” specified by intelligence, and must have originated with an (1 mark).  The regularity of the seasons (1 mark).  Everything in the has a purpose (1 mark).  The position of the earth in the solar system is perfect for life to exist (1 mark).  The apparent design and purpose

25. (b) (b) Explain why someone might disagree with the teleological argument. 5

’s criticisms  Comparison between a watch and the natural world is wrong (1 mark). Mechanical cannot be compared to the living world (1 mark).  There are lots of examples of bad design (1 mark).  Analogies are only based on assumptions and not fact so are weak (1 mark).  If the world needs an intelligent designer then so does the designer (1 mark).  Design can come about by chance (1 mark).  The analogy points to many the designers (1 mark) not necessarily the monotheistic Christian (1 mark).

26. (a) What are the main points of the cosmological argument? 3

 First of (motion) everything that moves is moved by something else (1 mark).  This cannot be infinite or the movement would not have started in the first place (1 mark).  There must be an ‘’ God (1 mark).  Second of five ways () everything has a cause (1 mark).  There cannot be an infinite number of causes therefore there must be an ‘uncaused cause’ (1 mark).  God is the First Cause (1 mark).  Third of five ways (potentiality) nothing can come from nothing (1 mark).  Something only comes into as a result of something that already exists (1 mark). There must be something with ‘necessary being’ that exists of itself –God (1 mark).

26. (b) “The cosmological argument proves the .” How far do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer. 8 Agree Disagree  The universe exists and everything that exists needs a  The argument contains self- – it states that there are beginning/cause. Only God could be the cause of the universe. (2 no uncaused causes (1 mark) yet it also says that God does not mark). need a beginning (1 mark).  God is a ‘necessary being’ that exists of itself. If God didn’t exist,  We assume that because everything in our experience needs a nothing else would exist, as everything else is contingent on him. cause everything else must have a cause too (1 mark) but our (2 marks). experience is limited and may things may be able to exist without  is impossible, so there must be a first cause (1 cause (1 mark). Quantum suggests particles may be able mark) and as Aquinas said, “This all men know as God.” (1 mark) to just appear, so perhaps the singularity occurred spontaneously.  Based on the that the universe is the best evidence for God. (2 marks) Something like the universe requires a creator God.  Why does the universe need a beginning? If God can be without  The argument points to a personal creator who chose to create cause, why can’t this be true of the universe itself? (1 mark). The the universe rather than something that is the result of pure universe may be going through an infinite number of expansions chance or even natural . and contractions. (1 mark)  Christians might argue, given that our knowledge stops at the Big  The argument is based on assumptions, therefore proves nothing. Bang, that God is the simplest explanation for the univers’s (1 mark) At most it shows it might be reasonable to believe in existence. God. (1 mark)

2016 Paper

Topics: Existence of God Teleological argument and arguments for or against

35. (a) Why are questions about the existence of God important for some people? 4

 If God is real, people might want to connect with or know more about Him.  If you decide God doesn’t exist it lets you get on with your life without fear of judgement.  If God does exist you may need to take care to live in a way which pleases Him in order to get a good .  Answering one ultimate question can help you with the others: if God is real there may also be an afterlife, creator, purpose to existence, etc.  Knowing that God exists might help people to find meaning, value or purpose in life.

35. (b) Explain one religious response to the problem of evil. 4

 Some Christians would say Adam and Eve were tempted to eat the forbidden fruit. As part of their punishment for disobeying God they will experience suffering. For example, suffering and death.  Suffering and evil is the result of humans deliberately choosing to do ‘bad’ things.  God wants us to have a loving relationship with him, but this can’t be forced we have to be free to choose. Freewill and the existence of human- caused suffering is necessary.  Suffering can have a purpose, and is part of God’s big plan. It makes the human race appreciate the good.  Suffering can be a test of .

36. (a) Explain the teleological argument. 4

 Paley’s analogy of the watch says that If someone walking over a heath, stumbled against a stone and asked how it got there, they might say it had always been there – it had no purpose or . But if they found a watch they might say that its various parts show evidence of regularity and purpose, so there must be a watch maker.  The universe, like the watch, shows evidence of regularity and purpose, eg the movement of the stars in the , the seasons, wings for flying, eyes for seeing etc. This can only be the product of , because things can’t order themselves.

36. (b) “The teleological argument provides complete proof of the existence of God.” To what extent do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. 8 Agree Disagree  The fine-tuning observed in the universe, from the moment of the  The laws of physics and Evolutionary Theory give a credible means we have to infer a designer. The alternative, that alternative to belief in a designer. the universe is here by chance alone, stretches credulity, and if  The order we see in nature exists only in our mind. It does not we apply Ockham’s Razor, the simplest explanation is surely that matter what universe we stayed in we would always think it was God must exist. perfect. (Kant)  Where there is the appearance of design, there must be a  Dawkins agrees the universe appears designed, but this finds a full designer. explanation when chance mutations meet the necessity of natural  Replication in organisms requires genetic information, and selection. information requires intelligence. The first replicator, from which  Even if the universe is perfect as the Teleological Argument says, all life evolved, needed information rich DNA, so this points to that does not prove that God created it. There might even have God as the source of the information. been a number of Gods creating it.(Hume)  means that at the microscopic level,  shows many examples of extinction of species, suffering biological machines like the bacterial flagellum need all of the and waste. It is incredible to think that this is by design, and it component parts to function. This would need to be designed in certainly doesn’t get you to the good God of traditional . its entirety and could not have evolved because the component parts would be useless to the organism on their own.

2017 Paper

Topics: Belief in the teleological argument Arguments against the teleological argument The Cosmological argument evaluation

42. (a) Why might people believe the universe was designed by God? 6

 The complexity of the world, shown in, eg the regularity of natural laws, must point to a designer.  Life is too awe-inspiring and beautiful to be the result of chance.  Things in the world show evidence of design for a purpose eg eyes for seeing, wings for flying etc.  The universe is balanced perfectly to produce and sustain life, showing an all-powerful creator.  It is not reasonable to believe that the debris from the Big Bang would form such complex things in the universe. The only logical explanation is an all-powerful God. The rise of life is contrary to physical law of entropy.  The Theory of Evolution could be part of God’s plan. God used the mechanism of Evolution to create life.  Genesis 1 and 2 explain that God created the world and all living things, and this is God’s word, therefore it can be trusted completely.

42. (b) How might people argue against the teleological argument? 6

 There is no proof that the universe needs a designer, maybe it has always been there.  There is evidence of bad design in the world, so perhaps this is down to chance rather than design. Natural disasters like earthquakes point to a bad designer rather than the God of traditional Theism.  Comparisons used to explain the design argument are not appropriate. A mechanical watch is not comparable to organic life.  Analogies used by Paley are based on assumption and not fact.  Natural processes/the laws of physics/chance and necessity are enough to give a complete explanation so there is no need to resort to the idea of a designer God.  Belief that there is a creator relies on a – the universe was designed therefore it was God who designed it.  Hume’s objections, including objections against monotheistic assumption.  Evolutionary theory acknowledges the appearance of design, but suggests that this has arisen due to entirely natural forces.

43. “The cosmological argument proves God’s existence.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. 8 Yes No  The universe exists and everything that exists needs a  We assume that because everything in our experience needs a beginning/cause. We know from experience that nothing comes cause everything else must have a cause too but our experience is from nothing. limited and many things may be able to exist without cause.  Only God could be the cause of the universe as he is all-powerful  Quantum Physics suggests particles may be able to just appear, so and doesn’t need a cause for his existence. perhaps the singularity occurred spontaneously.  God is a ‘necessary being’ that exists of itself. If God didn’t exist,  Why does the universe need a beginning? If God can be without nothing else would exist, as everything else is contingent on him. cause, why can’t this be true of the universe itself?  Infinite regress is impossible, so there must be a first cause and as  The universe may be going through an infinite number of Aquinas said, “This all men know as God.” expansions and contractions.  The argument contains self-contradiction – it states that there are no uncaused causes yet it also says that God does not need a beginning.  The argument is based on assumptions, therefore proves nothing. At most it shows it might be reasonable to believe in God.  Even if the argument demonstrates the need for a first cause, why does this need to be the God of traditional Theism? The Cosmological argument gives us at best.

2018 Paper

Topics: Cosmological arguments for and against Teleological argument - evaluation

48. (a) Explain the cosmological argument. 4 (b) Why might people agree with the cosmological argument? 5

 observation tells us nothing can move/change/cause itself. It has  we can observe the universe exists and everything that exists to be moved/changed/caused by something else. This is known as needs a beginning/cause (the idea that things depend on other things)  only God could be the cause of the universe because he is the only  even if you can trace back through a series of being powerful enough movers/changers/causes, you can’t keep going to infinity  it makes sense for God to be a ‘necessary being’ because God is in  argument assumes infinite regress doesn’t make sense a different category to things that are part of the material  there needs to be something to start the universe movement/change/causes off, something that isn’t  many mathematicians agree that infinite regress is impossible, so moved/changed/caused itself (a necessary being) there has to be a first cause, and the only being we have  this ‘first cause’ would have to be God knowledge of that doesn’t need a cause for its existence is God  marks may be awarded for different versions of the argument, eg  science supports the idea of the universe having a beginning, eg , Aquinas, , Leibniz, . the Big Bang, and agrees that things can’t cause themselves  Ockham’s razor says the simplest explanation is the right one and the first cause is arguably the simplest.

(c) How might someone argue against the cosmological argument? 5

 the argument contains self-contradiction – it states that there are no uncaused causes yet it also says that God does not need a beginning  we assume that because everything in our experience needs a cause everything else must have a cause too but our experience is limited and many things may be able to exist without cause  quantum physics suggests particles may be able to just appear, so perhaps the singularity occurred spontaneously  why does the universe need a beginning? if God can be without cause, why can’t this be true of the universe itself? Maybe it just is and always has been  the universe may be going through an infinite number of expansions and contractions. This fits with eastern cosmology  the argument is based on assumptions, therefore proves nothing. At most it shows it might be reasonable to believe in God.

49. (a) Explain the teleological argument. 4

 Paley’s watch analogy – if someone walking over a heath, stumbled against a stone and asked how it got there, they might reason it had always been there – it had no purpose or reason  if they found a watch they might notice that its various parts are complex and it shows evidence of regularity and purpose  it would be reasonable to conclude that the watch must have had a  the universe, like the watch, shows evidence of regularity (eg movement of planets, seasons etc) and purpose (eg eyes for seeing, wings for flying etc)  it would therefore be reasonable to infer that the universe also had a maker  the designer of this complex universe must also be a superior intelligent being whom we can call God.

(b) ‘It is reasonable to believe that the world has been designed.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. 8 Agree Disagree  the fine-tuning observed in the universe, from the moment of the  the laws of physics and Evolutionary Theory give a credible big bang means we have to infer a designer alternative to belief in a designer  if we apply Ockham’s razor, the simplest explanation is surely that  the order we see in nature exists only in our mind. It does not God designed it matter what universe we stayed in we would always think it was  the Intelligent Design movement argues that where there is the perfect (Kant) appearance of design, there must be a designer  Dawkins agrees the universe appears designed, but this finds a full  replication in organisms requires genetic information, and explanation when chance mutations meet the necessity of natural information requires intelligence. The first replicator, from which selection all life evolved, needed information rich DNA, so this points to  even if the universe appears designed as the Teleological God as the source of the information Argument says, that does not prove that it was created by God  irreducible complexity means that at the microscopic level,  evolution shows many examples of extinction of species, suffering biological machines like the bacterial flagellum need all of the and waste. It is incredible to think that this is by design. component parts to function. This would need to be designed in its entirety and could not have evolved because the component parts would be useless to the organism on their own.

2019 Paper

Topics: Teleological Argument Nature of God Cosmological argument and evaluation

53. (a) Describe Paley’s teleological argument. 4 (b) What are the strengths of Paley’s teleological argument? 5  Paley proposed if you were walking across a heath and came across a stone you might suppose it had always been there but if  there is a lot of evidence which we can observe to back up the you came across a watch you might assume it had a designer due argument as the universe we live in is staggeringly complex to its complex design for it to serve the purpose of telling the  it is supported by and is a posteriori argument  the word ‘Teleos’ means purpose, so it is about the universe being  if we follow Ockham’s razor then the simplest explanation for the here for a reason existence of our Universe is the correct one and that is the  a-posteriori argument, it is based on observation of the nature of existence of an intelligent designer the universe  the argument is consistent with scriptures, the revealed world of  Paley uses analogy to compare the world to Universe. The God. ‘His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen.’ Universe shows a huge amount of complexity and regularity Romans.  examples of regularity include the seasons and structure of the solar system. Purpose includes things like eyes for seeing and wings for flying. Other examples can be given  the only designer powerful and intelligent enough to design the world is an all loving and all powerful God.

54. What might religious people believe about the nature of God? 5

 omnipotent — all-powerful, so can do anything or able to do all  transcendent — beyond the physical universe and normal  only one God in monotheistic tradition experience  possible things, so God couldn’t make a round square, or 2+2=5  can’t be known/described/represented  omnipresent — everywhere in the universe  creator of everything  immanent — near to people  God his creatures  omniscient — knows all things, past, and future, and  can be known/described/represented people’s thoughts and motives  interventionist — God acts in the events of history. God controls all things.

55. (a) Explain the cosmological argument. 4

 Aquinas put forward the Cosmological argument which looked at  the only thing that could create the Universe is God therefore God the existence of the and proposed that for it to exist it is the creator must have been caused  God is the First Cause, the Prime Mover  everything that exists has a cause of its existence  God does not need a cause because God has always existed and  the Universe exists so the Universe has a cause always will — God is eternal.  many causes can be traced back through time, but it does not make sense to keep going forever. This means there needs to be a first uncaused cause

(b) ‘The cosmological argument is not convincing.’ How far do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. 8 Agree Disagree  even if there is a First Cause why does the First Cause have to be  some scientists believe the universe is not eternal and so needs to God? This argument was put forward by the David be caused by something Hume  God could be the cause of the big bang — the singularity that  our present Universe could be the result of the end of a previous everything expanded from Universe so infinity could still be an explanation  Coppleston would argue that the existence of the Universe  steady state theory presents a challenge to the cosmological demands an explanation argument as it rejects the idea of a beginning to the Universe  Swinburne argued that God is the most likely and best reason we  schoolboy error fallacy — this is a contradictory argument to say have so far for the origin of the universe everything needs a cause except God  it is not a contradictory argument as God is the uncaused causer  would say ‘The Universe exists and that is all  the Cosmological argument has value as it provides meaning, there is to say’ — we will never actually know either way if it was value and purpose for people’s lives caused and if the cause was God or not  it fits in with our experience of cause and effect in our daily lives.  there is an argument that says just because we all have mothers it does not mean that the Universe must have a mother  the Cosmological argument is often misunderstood when used to prove the existence of God as this isn’t what Aquinas set out to do.

Specimen Paper 2020

Topics: Cosmological Arguments and Criticisms Nature of God (different opinions) Teleological Argument & Evaluation

37. (a) Explain Aquinas’ cosmological argument. 4 (b) How might someone criticise Aquinas’ argument? 6  The argument contains self-contradiction – it states that there are  Aquinas’ first of five ways (motion) says that everything that no uncaused causes, but God does not need a cause. (1 mark) moves is moved by something else (1 mark).  We assume that because everything in our experience needs a  This cannot be infinite or the movement would not have started in cause everything else must have a cause too (1 mark), the first place, therefore this means that there must be an  but our experience is limited, and many things may be able to ‘unmoved mover’ God. (1 mark) exist without cause (1 mark).  The second of Aquinas’ five ways (causality) states that everything  Quantum physics suggests particles may be able to just appear, so has a cause. There cannot be an infinite number of causes  perhaps the singularity occurred spontaneously. (1 mark) therefore there must be an ‘uncaused cause’ (1 mark)  Why does the universe need a beginning? If God can be without  and this means that God is the First Cause. (1 mark) cause, why can’t this be true of the universe itself? The universe  Aquinas’ third of five ways (potentiality) says that nothing can may be goingthrough an infinite number of expansions and come from nothing (1 mark). contractions. (1 mark)  Something only comes into existence as a result of something that  The argument is based on assumptions, and proves nothing. At already exists. Therefore there must be something with ‘necessary most it shows it might be reasonable to believe in God, but this being’ that exists of itself and this is God. (1 mark) God fits more with the Deist view than the Christian God. (1 mark)

38. Explain why people might disagree about the nature of God. 4

 Many believe God to be omnipotent/all powerful – yet we don’t see him acting in the world today the way He did in saving the Hebrews  from Egypt etc. (1 mark)  Believed to be all powerful, all knowing and all loving – yet evil and suffering exists in the world today, and this make some people question whether these can be true. (1 mark)  Believed by Christians to be the Creator of all things– yet for some, science disputes this through the Big Bang Theory and evolution (1 mark).  If these were how God brought everything into being it can be seen as a sign of his greatness as a designer by some, or his cruelty by others. (1 mark)  Some feel that God is absent at difficult in their lives, but others describe a feeling of closeness to God, and of his care through tough times (1 mark), eg in the holocaust some lost their faith, while others felt their faith was strengthened. (1 mark)  Holy scriptures describe different characterstics of God, and the emphasis a follower gives to these may affect their view of God’s  nature (1 mark), eg the Old and New Testaments are felt by some to  portray very different ideas about God’s nature. (1 mark)

39. (a) Why did Paley think the universe and life were designed? 4

 If someone walking over a heath stumbled against a stone and asked how it got there, they might say it had always been there – it had no  purpose or reason. (1 mark)  But if they found a watch they might say that its various parts are complex and do/must have a purpose. (1 mark)  Also the watch must have had a watchmaker – someone who had designed it as a complex machine. (1 mark)  The universe, like the watch, gives the impression of a vast designed machine (1 mark).  This is because it shows evidence of regularity and purpose, eg in the movement of the stars and planets in the heavens, and in the features of living creatures that fulfil an important role, eg eyes for seeing, wings for flying. (1 mark)  All machines are the product of intelligent design – they have been designed by someone superior in intelligence (1 mark).  Therefore, the designer of this complex universe must also be a superior intelligent being whom we can call God. (1 mark)

(b) “The teleological argument does nothing to prove God’s existence.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. 8 Agree Disagree  There is evidence of “bad design” in the world, eg natural  The world looks designed (examples of regularity and purpose in disasters, so perhaps it is chance rather than design, and this nature) and it has been created perfectly to sustain life (1 mark). means there is no need for God. (1 mark)  It is therefore reasonable to infer a designer. (1 mark)  There is no proof that the universe needs a creator, maybe it has  Modern tends to come in the form of the anthropic always been there. (1 mark) principle.  Belief that there is a creator relies on a leap of faith (1 mark)  The sheer number of coincidences that would be required from  The universe and life was designed therefore it was God who the first moment of the Big Bang expansion means a purely designed it. (1 mark) naturalistic explanation stretches credulity (1 mark).  Comparisons used to explain the design argument are not  Fine-tuning points to a “finetuner”. (1 mark) appropriate. A mechanical watch shouldn’t be compared to  It is not reasonable to believe that the debris from the Big Bang organic material. (1 mark) would form such complex things in the universe (1 mark).  Natural processes/the laws of physics/chance and necessity are  The rise of life is contrary to physical law of entropy, so the only enough to give a complete explanation so there is no need to logical explanation is an all-powerful God. (1 mark) resort to the idea of a designer God. (1 mark)  Evolution was part of God’s plan. God used the mechanism of  We may be very unlikely, but this needn’t mean we are meant to evolution to create life. (1 mark) be here. We are like winners in the lottery – just lucky to be here.  (1 mark) Beliefs about God Cosmological Argument Teleological Argument

2015 26. (a) What are the main points of the 25. (a) Give two pieces of evidence used to cosmological argument? support the teleological argument. 26. (b) “The cosmological argument proves 25. (b) (b) Explain why someone might the existence of God.” How far do you disagree with the teleological argument. agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer. 2016 35. (a) Why are questions about the 36. (a) Explain the teleological argument. existence of God important for some 36. (b) “The teleological argument people? provides complete proof of the existence 35. (b) Explain one religious response to of God.” To what extent do you agree? the problem of evil. Give reasons for your answer.

2017 43. “The cosmological argument proves 42. (a) Why might people believe the God’s existence.” Do you agree? Give universe was designed by God? reasons for your answer. 42. (b) How might people argue against the teleological argument? 2018 48. (a) Explain the cosmological argument. 49. (a) Explain the teleological argument. 48. (b) Why might people agree with the 49. (b) ‘It is reasonable to believe that the cosmological argument? world has been designed.’ Do you agree? 48. (c) How might someone argue against Give reasons for your answer. the cosmological argument? 2019 54. What might religious people believe 55. (a) Explain the cosmological argument. 53. (a) Describe Paley’s teleological about the nature of God? 55. (b) ‘The cosmological argument is not argument. convincing.’ How far do you agree? Give 53. (b) What are the strengths of Paley’s reasons for your answer. teleological argument?

Specimen 38. Explain why people might disagree 37. (a) Explain Aquinas’ cosmological 39. (a) Why did Paley think the universe about the nature of God. argument. and life were designed? 37. (b) How might someone criticise 39. (b) “The teleological argument does Aquinas’ argument? nothing to prove God’s existence.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

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