Single Idea 21275

[catalogued under 28. God / B. Proving God / 3. Proofs of Evidence / b. Teleological Proof]

Full Idea

When we come to inspect a watch we perceive (what we could not discover in a stone) that its several parts are put together for a purpose, to produce motion, and that motion so regulated as to point out the hour of the day.

Gist of Idea

Unlike a stone, the parts of a watch are obviously assembled in order to show the time

Source

William Paley (Natural Theology [1802], Ch 1)

Book Reference

'The Existence of God', ed/tr. Hick,John [Macmillan 1964], p.99


A Reaction

Microscopic examination of the stone would have surprised Paley. Should we infer a geometer because the sun is spherical? Crytals look designed, but are explained by deeper chemistry.

Related Ideas

Idea 21276 From the obvious purpose and structure of a watch we must infer that it was designed [Paley]

Idea 21278 All the signs of design found in a watch are also found in nature [Paley]