Question

What is the argument from design? How does it seek to prove the existence of God? Do you find the argument effective? Why or why not?"

Answer 1

'Argument from design" is the term given for a debate whether God is really present or not. The argument seeks to prove that the actuality of God is inevitable because of the presentation of design in nature. The argument is pragmatic in thought and deems to prove God's entity. It tries to establish that the intricate, complicated and creative designed nature must have a designer and that designer is the 'Almighty.'

This type of argument belongs to the 'Teleological argument' category. The word 'telos' in Greek language means aim or intention to prove something. Thus, the Teleological argument aspires to prove a connection between the aim and the design of nature. As we can see that man purposely designs many things with some purpose in mind, in the similar manner God also has purposely designed the nature.

There are three assumptions for this argument:

1. The complicated and elaborate design of the nature signifies that there is an architect who created such an amazingly- designed universe.

2. 'Nature' is heterogeneous and varied.

3. Only an omnipotent designer is capable of designing such a diverse nature.

The 'argument from design' states that God is the designer of all the biological things, the complex architecture like huge mountains, oceans, celestial objects and also the numerous laws which govern and maintain the nature's balance like the gravitational law, centrifugal force etc. If these things were to come into existence one by one, they would not function properly, but only God could think of combining all the elements of nature in such a perfect proportion and combination that all are benefited and can live in perfect consensus.

Human beings have different sensory organs which have a definite purpose and function in conformity. The various systems in our body also function in harmony to maintain our well-being. The 'argument from design' opines that only God can create and think of such a complex mechanism of our human body.

There are two types of people in this world, the believers and non-believers. The non-believers who question God's existence, have majorly one argument that as God is not seen, he does not exist. They feel it is not possible to believe an invisible identity. The non-believers also argue that if God is the creator of the everything, then why does he destroy his creation by untimely deaths and destruction due to accidents and catastrophic natural disasters.

The people who believe in the existence of God substantiate their belief by giving various reasons. But the most effective and plausible explanation of God's presence is given by the 'argument from design.' We can agree that God exists because of the following reasons:

The universe is in a constant stage of adjustment and is not the same, always. This transition cannot happen on its own and requires some force to make it happen and that entity is God who does the perfect adjustments in nature, so that we can live peacefully. The cycle of life and death which ensures that nothing is in excess or inadequate so that the stability of the nature is maintained, is the invention of God. The orderliness in which all the elements of nature work together prove that God is the only one who can arrange and perform such a mammoth task. There is no proof of any other being, who can put such a complex, amazing and awe-inspiring nature together. Things do not automatically come into being, there should be a purpose and a design. We can confidently say that it is only God's purpose to design a nature. As there is no other designer with a purpose to contradict this argument, we can safely conclude that God exists.