ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the argument for God's existence based on apparent design in nature. It discusses the main criticism of the argument— the evolution objection—and various theistic replies to it, including an important reformulation of the design argument. The chapter also explores traditional philosophical objections to the argument. The basic idea of an argument from analogy is that when two things are similar in many important and relevant ways, they are probably similar to each other in the way at issue. The most important objection to the design argument is the scientific objection from evolution. The design argument concerns whether apparent design in nature constitutes evidence for God. Proponents of the design argument point out that life is very fragile and can only exist in certain narrowly defined conditions. Many philosophers point out that the design argument can be formulated differently. David Hume objected that if the design argument works, it proves more than the theist wants.
