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The Teleological Argument By: David Hume

To begin, I think it is important to note the backbone of what Hume is trying to argue about the Teleological Argument.
1. The Universe is orderly, yet we find suffering, pain, destruction, etc. So, why would an "all-loving" Creator of the Universe do this to us if He has the power to control it all? Hume begins to argue that we should not even discuss the matter of the universe being orderly in this case.
2. Order is the result of design. Looking back into Hume's debate, it is very evident that he believes our knowledge of cause and effect comes directly from experiences; therefore, we cannot think this about the universe, because it is distinctly unique.
3. Basically, Hume does not believe that the Teleological Argument leads to the classical Christian definition of God; rather, our hypotheses that are proposed, there can be found truth.
4. Putting all of the pieces together for the last statement, Hume says that we have nothing to compare the Universe too, so in that matter, if it is such a complex design, there must be a complex intelligence.
As I reflect on all of Hume's argumentative statements, I connect most with his second argument, in the fact that our knowledge does come from the cause and effect of our experiences, not just the situation itself, but the overall action and involvement we obtain as individuals. What I have learned is that gaining knowledge from our experiences can justify much more than what causes and effects can do.

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2017 at 7:17 PM

    I think was a well structure summary of what Humes was trying to argue. It shows his mainpoints and its good to see your point of view as well. And i couldn't agree more with experience helps give a better understanding. For example, One can tell someone not to touch a hot stove because it will burn you, but until the individual actually gets burned the knowledge cant be obtained.

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  2. Delanie DavisSeptember 22, 2017 at 9:15 AM

    I also agree with what you said about learning through experience. What we are taught mostly about the world and our existence is through experience, such as how we should look, act, speak, and value. Our principles are learned and our knowledge grows through society and not just cause and effect.

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