Teleology in Biology: Aquinas's 5th Argument for God

Teleology in Biology And Aquinas Fifth Argument for the Existence of God

Ways of Knowing _________ - through scientific research, observations and data gathering ______________________________ _________- which is a rational method of arguing from definitions and premises to formulate new conclusion ______________________________________________ Science ________________________to establish true __________about the world and then the ________________________ to argue to a conclusion!!

Aquinas 5th Argument for God starts with observations of the natural physical world _____________ organizes these observations as a set of __________ then draws a conclusion about the existence of God _________________ we are going to hear Aquinas argument then use a specific example from biology to understand his argument better

Aquinas 5th Argument for God an argument from _________ What s teleology?

What is Teleology? teleology _______________________ the order of things ________________________________ Let s look for some examples of teleology or purpose in biology.

Essential Question: Where do we see PURPOSE operating in living things? Which characteristics of living things and the powers of the soul operate for a purpose? ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________

Essential Question: Where do we see PURPOSE operating in living things? What is the purpose of your eyes? _______________________ your heart? ______________________ your legs and feet? __________________

Teleology in Biology supports __________________________ _______________________________ 5th Argument for the Existence of God (link to video)

St. Thomas Aquinas 5th Argument for the Existence of God Premise 1: Natural objects which lack knowledge ___________________________________. Premise 2: To act for an end/purpose is __________________________, not by chance. Premise 3: That which does not have knowledge cannot act for and end/purpose ______________________________________. Conclusion: Therefore,__________________________, by which all natural things are ordained to their end, and this___________________.

Illustrating Aquinas 5th Argument for the Existence of God Using the Heart Premise 1: Natural objects which lack knowledge can act for an end/purpose. Is the heart a natural object? ____________ Does it act for an end or a purpose? Explain. ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Can the heart know anything? __________

Illustrating Aquinas 5th Argument for the Existence of God Using the Heart Premise 2: To act for an end/purpose is to be done with intention, not by chance. Since the heart acts for an end, when the heart pumps blood this is ____________________ and _____________.

Illustrating Aquinas 5th Argument for the Existence of God Using the Heart Premise 3: That which does not have knowledge cannot act for an end/purpose unless directed by an intelligence. and the since heart lacks knowledge, it must be ______________________________________ to act for an end/purpose.

Illustrating Aquinas 5th Argument for the Existence of God Using the Heart Conclusion: Therefore, there is some intelligence, by which all natural things are ordained to their end, and this we call God. Therefore, there is an ______________which ordains the heart to act for an end and _______________________.

Teleology in Biology we will discover many examples in biology of natural objects acting for a purpose therefore the study of biology should increase your confidence in the existence of God

5th Argument for the Existence of God An important thing to understand: Aquinas is ____________________ God is moving natural objects __________________ God is NOT making your heart pump directly. God has created matter and ___________________________ all the atoms and elements and molecules that make up your heart __________________in your heart make it pump blood ______________________makes your heart pump blood God has ________________ your soul, _______________________________________

Ponder This Though your existence is utterly dependent on God, God has given you a real, independent existence of Your own. This is a mystery. Both are true.