The Teleological and Kalam Cosmological Arguments Revisited

This book presents an original deductive formulation of the Teleological Argument (TA) and demonstrates that the only possible categories of hypotheses concerning fine-tuning and order are (i) chance, (ii) regularity, (iii) combinations of regularity and chance, (iv) uncaused, and (v) design. It also combines the TA with the Kalam Cosmological Argument (KCA) to respond to the God-of-the-gaps objection, demonstrating that the conclusion of the KCA-TA follows from deduction and exclusion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 387 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

A central concern in the ongoing debates within contemporary philosophy of religion revolves around the question of whether the universe possesses a Designer. To address this issue, this book takes a novel approach by presenting an original deductive formulation of the Teleological Argument (TA), which aims to establish the sole possible categories of hypotheses regarding fine-tuning and order. These categories include:
1. Chance: This hypothesis suggests that the universe's existence and its intricate order are purely coincidental, resulting from a random process devoid of any guiding intelligence or purpose.
2. Regularity: This hypothesis posits that the universe exhibits a regular pattern of behavior, driven by natural laws and processes that have been in place since the beginning of time.
3. Combinations of Regularity and Chance: This hypothesis suggests that the universe combines elements of both chance and regularity, with certain aspects of the universe following predictable patterns while others are governed by randomness.
4. Uncaused: This hypothesis asserts that the universe emerged from nothingness, without any external force or intervention. It posits that the universe's existence is a result of pure chance.
5. Design: This hypothesis proposes that the universe was created by an intelligent being or agency with a specific purpose or plan in mind. It suggests that the universe exhibits a level of order and complexity that cannot be explained solely by natural processes.
In addition to presenting these categories, this book also demonstrates that each category possesses essential features that distinguish it from the others. While the alternatives to design may appear unlikely, the Design Hypothesis is not without merit. Furthermore, this book offers a compelling argument for design by exclusion, which does not require the prior assignment of a probability for design. By combining the TA with the Kalam Cosmological Argument (KCA), which it defends against various objections, this book responds to the God-of-the-gaps objection by showing that the conclusion of the KCA-TA follows from deduction and exclusion rather than relying on gaps that can be filled by further scientific progress.
This book is available for free online access, making it accessible to a wide audience interested in exploring the philosophical implications of the existence of a Designer in the universe.

Weight: 652g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030944025
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022