OK all you theological geeks. To which argument for the existence of God is the above comic referring? No, you cannot answer with “Intelligent Design.” Give me the actual philosophical name for the argument that is pictured in the above comic. For instance, is the above comic an example of the: cosmological, teleological, ontological, anthropic, transcendental, argument from degree, will to believe argument, or the argument from reason?
Peter McCombs says
Where can I read a summary of the various theological arguments? Does the Orthodox Church subscribe to one theory in particular?
Syphax says
It’s strongly reminiscent of Paley’s “watchmaker” argument, which I would say is a very weak version of the teleological argument. I am not Orthodox but I don’t really put much stock in this sort of “watchmaker” God. It seems to me that this only leads to a God that “winds up” the Universe and then just lets it go. The God hinted at by Aristotle and Aquinas (and I’m guessing the Orthodox are generally in this same camp) is one that must be continually upholding the Universe moment-by-moment, like a musician who continually plays and produces music. If the musician ever decided to stop, the music would simply disappear.
Art Casci says
Teleological argument
Fr. Ernesto Obregon says
It’s the teleological argument.