Design Argument

a) AO1 – Knowledge and Understanding

• Explain in detail• Use technical terms (and explain them)• Include quotations• Link back to the question• Make sure your answer doesn’t sound like a

list• Vary the beginnings of your paragraphs• DO NOT ARGUE IN THE A QUESTION.

• Explain the Argument from Design as put forward by Aquinas.• Explain the Design Argument as put forward by Paley.• Explain how David Hume / Philosophy criticises the

Design Argument.• Explain how science / Dawkins criticises the Argument

from Design.• Explain Swinburne’s version of the Design Argument. • Explain how the Design Argument attempts to prove the

existence of God.• Explain the key features of the Argument from Design.

b) AO2 - Evaluation• State your point of view in your introduction. E.g. The

Design Argument cannot stand up against the criticisms of science ...

• Include both sides of the argument.• Include critical analysis. E.g. Paley makes a strong argument here because .....

E.g. The Design Argument cannot stand up against this criticism because ........

• Make your point of view clear throughout your essay and in your conclusion

• Include 3 – 4 well argued points.

• “Science has caused the Design Argument to fail.” How far do you agree with this statement?• Assess the view that the criticisms from Philosophy mean

that the Design Argument is no longer valid.• “Richard Swinburne has successfully protected the

Design Argument from the criticisms of science.” How far do you agree with this statement?• Assess the view that Richard Swinburne has successfully

defended the Design Argument from the criticisms of Philosophy.• Assess the view that the Design Argument makes it

reasonable to believe in God.

Creation

a) Religion on the origin of the universe, the origin of life and the relationship between God and the created

world

• Explain religious beliefs about the creation of the world.

• Explain religious beliefs about the origin of human beings

• Explain religious beliefs about the relationship between God and the created world.

a) Science on the origin and end of the universe and the origin of life.

• Explain scientific ideas about the origin and end of the universe.

• Explain scientific ideas about the origin of life.

a) Science and religion• Explain one religious and one scientific view on the origin

of the universe• Explain one religious and one scientific view on the origin

of life.• Explain how scientific views challenge religious views on

the origin of the universe• Explain how scientific views challenge religious views on

the origin of life. • Explain how religion answers the challenges posed by

science relating to the origin of the universe / origin of life.

b) conflicting, complimentary or irrelevant?

• “Science and religion are in conflict on the issue of the origin of life.” How far do you agree with this question?

• Assess the view that religious and scientific views on the origin of the universe are incompatible.

• “Religious and scientific views on the origin of the universe and of life are complimentary.” How far do you agree with this question?

• Assess the view that religious and scientific ideas on the origin of life are irrelevant to each other.

b) Other questions• “Intelligent design is a scientific ideas.” How far do

you agree with this question?• Assess the view that God is simply an answer to

unanswered questions and an explanation for the unexplained.

• “The religious responses to the challenge of science on the origin of life is weak.” How far do you agree with this question?