Main Lines Of Debate Between Teleological Arguments And Theory Of Evolution

Debate has been rife for several centuries regarding logical explanation for the existence of the universe, particularly with regard to existence of life. Teleological arguments and evolution theory have widely been studied to offer some of the most acceptable reasoning perspectives for the debate. Explanation has been sought to validate the position held by proponents of the debate, which fall on the opposing side. The main lines of debate can be discussed as follows.

Teleology Lines

First, temporal orderliness of the universe acts as one of the main support points of the teleological proponents of the debate (Swinburne, 154). According to the author, the universe happens to follow some form of order which cannot be assumed to occur just by chance. Guided by positions held by great theologians such as Thomas of Aquinas, the author is of the opinion that such happenings can only be explained by existence of “someone with awareness…we call God,” (Swinburne, 155). It is clear that the apparent orderliness that exists in the universe must be under the control of some being, a comparison of which mush be a deity. This position finds easy acceptance into the debate, perhaps better than any other.

Another argument is the probability of existence of the high orderliness in both universes, Godly and Godless which shows that there is a high probability that the laws of nature that the universe follows must be set out by some being (160). The author states that objects in nature follow some predictable behavior only in a Godly universe as Humean theory explains. We can draw an inference from this theory that the universe is under directions from a deity.

In addition, spatial order, a fact of the universe can be argued only in a perspective that recognizes regularity therein. Co-presence as well as succession can not be explained in exclusion of God (167). These regularity perspectives that denote a well ordered universe complement a Godly universe argument with all respect. Alternatively, beauty of the universe that complements its orderliness is more reasonable when an explanation is sought from Godly presence (190). Using the spectacular regularity depicted by the universe, it is logical to attach a deity to the best explanation sought on its beauty.

Consciousness and mentality analysis gives an array of arguments that strongly support the position that were it not for the existence of God in the Universe, certain innate features of the universe would not exist (198). It is certainly possible to lose meaning of morality in human beings without telos, which explains the position held by God in the universe (Fahlbusch, 328).

Evolution Lines

Linnaean Taxonomy appears to solve the problem of the structure of life forms into a family tree. It is easily possible to trace the origin of life forms due to the universe’s incredible consistency in organizing life into the family tree. It is possible to practically demonstrate the origin of life forms from a common ancestor using the family tree (Wong, 1)