teleological argument

American  

noun

Metaphysics.

1. the argument for the existence of God based on the assumption that order in the universe implies an orderer and cannot be a natural feature of the universe.

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teleological argument British  

noun

1. Also called: argument from design.  philosophy the argument purporting to prove the existence of God from empirical facts, the premise being that the universe shows evidence of order and hence design Compare ontological argument cosmological argument

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

teleological argument

Thomas Aquinas’s Five Ways is known as a teleological argument for the existence of God from the presence of design in experience.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022

The "Critique of Pure Reason" of Kant demolished the ontological and the cosmological arguments for the existence of God and showed the weakness in the teleological argument.

From The Necessity of Atheism by Brooks, David Marshall

His great defect was in not perceiving that this teleological argument, per se, is not in either case enough to convince, but only to arouse serious attention.

From Thoughts on Religion by Gore, Charles

And the teleological argument for the existence of God asserts that, as there is evidence of purpose in nature, this must be due to an intelligent cause.

From A Critical History of Greek Philosophy by Stace, W. T. (Walter Terence)

For the teleological argument runs thus: An organ is precisely fitted to perform a function or purpose; therefore, it was specially constructed to perform that function.

From What is Darwinism? by Hodge, Charles