The argument from design is one side of an argument about how to explain why our world is so complex and how it came to be so. The argument from design is also known as the teleological argument. The core of the argument is that God must exist. “The basis of the argument is that since the universe is evidently designed, it must have a designer” (Solomon 638). The main opponents of this argument are people who support Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Both sides have significant merits, but it is difficult to say which argument is the truth.
I apologize for the illegible labels.
The labeling is much more clear if you click on the image.
The argument from design takes a strong side about why our universe is so complex. “It has even presented itself as a theory in science, that is, ‘creation science,’ as opposed to the generally accepted scientific accounts of Darwinian evolution” (Solomon 143). My interpretation of the argument from design is that the universe is too complex for it to have just come into existence. The functioning of a single living cell could be compared to how a business functions. They both have a main operator that regulates most or all of what goes on. They both have sturdy protection. They also have the capability of expansion. Each cell is operated by a nucleus, has a cell wall for protection, and given enough time, can split into two, thus increasing the total number of cells. A business is often operated by a president or CEO, is sometimes physically protected by security guards and often otherwise protected by a legal system, and given a certain level of success, can expand by opening a new branch of the company. The point of all this is that a business, which is often designed to do work most efficiently, has a lot in common with cells. Therefore it stands to reason that cells were also designed. The argument from design definitely makes a valid point.
The strength of the argument for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution is about equal to that of the argument from design. My choice of interpretation of Darwin’s theory is “survival of the fittest,” better know as natural selection. The complexity of the cell can be explained by natural selection. If a cell mutates in a way that makes it stronger than other cells, it is more likely to survive and multiply. The stronger mutant cell eventually outnumbers the others and is considered a normal cell. At some point another mutation will occur and the process will repeat itself. Eventually, the remainder will be the complex, effective cells that exist today. The reasoning behind Darwin’s theory makes a very compelling argument.
The argument from design and Darwin’s theory of evolution both make good arguments. Either one could be true. In this day and age there is no way to know for sure.
Resources:
Solomon, Robert C. Introducing Philosophy. New York: Oxford UP, 2008.
Image Source:
Plant cell structure svg. 6 June 2006. Mariana Ruiz. 30 Oct. 2009 http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plant_cell_structure_svg.svg#
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