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

It is the kind of teleological argument that many scientists reject, but one that Davies cannot help finding attractive.

From The Guardian

The order in nature cannot be used as the basis of a teleological argument; what we call order of nature is necessity as distinguished from chance.

From Project Gutenberg

The gradual development of stability from instability, harmony from disharmony, a state where collision is at a minimum from one where it was at a maximum, may be regarded as furnishing the best phase possible of a teleological argument.

From Project Gutenberg

Our analysis of the development of thought, feeling, and will, has an important bearing on the teleological argument.

From Project Gutenberg

We may ask, then, whether the friends of the teleological argument would agree to designate this state, which is highest from a mathematical point of view since it includes all the elements of the universe, as highest in any point of view favoring a theological theory of design.

From Project Gutenberg