The conclusion of Paley's argument is that the existence of a divine designer namely God which can be inferred from the complexity and order in the natural world.
His argument is successful as its establishment aligns with the fact that universe exhibits design through its implied purpose and through regularity.
What should we know about Paley’s design argument
William Paley's design argument is based on the analogy of the watch which he used to argue that the complexity and order of the natural world must be the result of a creator, that is, a watch is the product of a watchmaker.
The premises of his argument are as follows:
- 1. The natural world exhibits intricate and purposeful designs such as the complexity of living organisms and the precision of natural laws.
- 2. Such intricate designs imply the existence of a designer because complex and purposeful structures are the result of intentional creation.
- 3. The only being capable of designing the natural world with such complexity and purpose is God who a supremely intelligent and powerful being.