more from David Hume

Single Idea 21280

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

Full Idea

It is uncertain whether all the excellences of the work can justly be ascribed to the workman. If we survey a ship, what an exalted idea must we form of the ingenuity of the carpenter ...and what surprise must we feel when we find him a stupid mechanic.

Gist of Idea

From a ship you would judge its creator a genius, not a mere humble workman

Source

David Hume (Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion [1751], Part 5)

Book Reference

'The Existence of God', ed/tr. Hick,John [Macmillan 1964], p.106


A Reaction

You can at least infer that the ship was not made entirely by makers who are ignorant of carpentry. Somewhere in the divine team there must exist the skills that produce whatever we observe?