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Philosophy of Religion (Component 2)
Quick questions on The teleological argument - Eduqas A-Level Religious Studies Component 2
3short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is darwinian evolution?Show answer
The sharpest modern challenge is Darwinian evolution. Natural selection explains the appearance of design (the eye, complex adaptation) by blind, unguided variation and survival of the fittest, with no designer required. This undercuts Paley directly: where Paley saw purpose that demanded a mind, Darwin supplies a natural mechanism. The theist's replies are that evolution explains design within the universe but not the fine-tuning that lets evolution happen (Tennant), nor why there is an ordered, intelligible universe at all, and that God may design through evolution.
What is q1?Show answer
Explain Hume's criticisms of the design argument. [part (a), AO1, 20 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
"The fine-tuning of the universe is better explained by chance than by design." Evaluate this view. [part (b), AO2, 30 marks]
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