Understanding Teleology in Biology and Aquinas' Fifth Argument
Explore the concept of teleology in biology and delve into St. Thomas Aquinas' fifth argument for the existence of God, which connects observations in the natural world to purposeful design. Discover the relationship between science and philosophy in understanding the order and purpose in living things.
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Presentation Transcript
Teleology in Biology And Aquinas Fifth Argument for the Existence of God
Ways of Knowing Science - through scientific research, observations and data gathering is one way of knowing Philosophy - which is a rational method of arguing from definitions and premises to formulate a new conclusion is another way of knowing Science uses its own methods to establish true premises about the world and then the philosophical method to argue to a conclusion!!
Aquinas 5th Argument for God starts with observations of the natural physical world Science!! organizes these observations as a set of premises then draws a conclusion about the existence of God Philosophy!! 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 teleology What s teleology?
What is Teleology? teleology a way of explaining the order of things in relation to their end or purpose 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? Give examples from our notes and homework over the last two days.
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 Aquinas Fifth Argument/Proof for the Existence of God 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 can act for an end/purpose. Premise 2: To act for an end/purpose is to be done with intention, not by chance. Premise 3: That which does not have knowledge cannot act for and end/purpose unless directed by an intelligence. Conclusion: Therefore, there is some intelligence, by which all natural things are ordained to their end, and this we call God.
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 NOT claiming God is moving natural objects directly God is NOT making your heart pump directly. God has created matter and given properties and powers to all the atoms and elements and molecules that make up your heart electrical signals in your heart make it pump blood muscle contraction makes your heart pump blood God has created your soul, which orders and empowers your body
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.
