Paley's universe in a watch
It's true that for a while, too long, I didn't have an answer for the Paley's watch argument for God. It also also true to say that I still think that the "argument from design" as it is called is one of the strongest and most convincing arguments for the existence of God that I have come across. Happily however, a few months ago I realized the answer, I always knew there was an answer to it simply because the argument had never convinced me, I can just be abit slow at catching on sometimes.
Let me outline very simply the "Paley's watch" argument for the existence of God. Ok, so imagine you're wondering along on a nice sunny day, walking along soft grass, the birds are singing in the trees and you are pondering the meaning of life or some such.
Suddenly in your path is shiny new watch, perhaps (God forbid!) you almost trip on it (would have to be a fairly sizable watch though). I'm sure you wouldn't think to yourself, this watch came of its own accord, grown organically out of nothing with no creator, no purpose, the nothingness of space suddenly decided to create a watch and plonk it before you. No, of course you wouldn't. You would think, this is a watch, a watch factory made it, a watch designer cleverer than myself produced it and this probably belongs to someone.Or in Paley's own words:
"But suppose I had found a watch upon the ground, and it should be inquired how the watch happened to be in that place, I should hardly think of the answer which I had before given, that for anything I knew the watch might have always been there. "
The reasoning goes that therefore its ridiculous to come across the universe as complex as it is and not assume it had a designer. Seems to make sense really. Until... you realize that you assume the watch has a designer because you have seen other such watches around that you happen to KNOW came out of a watch factory and were designed by Rolex/Omega etc. Therefore, upon coming across a similar watch like construct it is sensible to assume it has a similar history. I have not come across any other universes that I happen to KNOW have designers so it does not follow that I should assume that our universe/existence has a designer. Elementary really.
i think, paley's argument falls under the logical falalcy called wrong
analogy. the universe does not operate in the same manner as a watch. if
complexity is an argument for a designer, then who designed god? nothing
could be more complex than an omniscient, ominpotent being such as god.
I see that homar is a Dawkins fan. It's from Climbing Mount Improbable,
right? Haven't read it.