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

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 most cogent argument for the intelligence of the world-ground, the teleological argument, is a hypothesis which has grave weaknesses, and one to which many other equally probable hypotheses may be opposed.

From History of Modern Philosophy From Nicolas of Cusa to the Present Time by Falckenberg, Richard

The absolute Idea is not only the first principle of the universe, but also its final purpose, and thus we have indicated in various places a teleological argument.

From The Basis of Early Christian Theism by Cole, Lawrence Thomas

In modern times the existence of design in the world has been made the foundation of an argument for the existence of God, which is known as the teleological argument.

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

We find the natural deep and practical piety of Socrates reinforcing itself with a very full and complete statement of a teleological argument, based upon final cause, or adaptation of means to ends.

From The Basis of Early Christian Theism by Cole, Lawrence Thomas