Teleology

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Surah Ţāhā (Taha), Ayah 50

<50> [Musa (Moses)] said: “Our Lord is He Who gave to each thing its form and nature, then guided it aright.”

Translation: Al-Hilali & Khan | 1/1 | Issues: /help

P1: In nature N, we observe non intelligent entities (e.g., trees, stars, physical laws) acting in ways that produce consistent outcomes.

P2. If an entity lacks consciousness or intelligence, then it cannot act toward a final cause (goal) unless it is directed by something that does possess intelligence. (This follows from the principle that goal oriented behavior presupposes knowledge of the end.)

P3: Many natural phenomena exhibit ordered, goal-directed behavior that cannot be attributed to chance alone. (E.g., the fine-tuning of physical constants, the directed behavior of biological processes.)

P4: Therefore, non-intelligent natural things must be directed toward their ends by an intelligent cause. (From P1 – P3)

P5: The cause of such teleology must be external to the natural objects themselves and must possess knowledge and intentionality. (Because the directedness is not intrinsic to the unintelligent things.)

P6. This directing intellect must be a necessary, singular being, otherwise it would itself require a further explanation (to avoid infinite regress of explainers). (From metaphysical necessity and simplicity)

C: Therefore, there exists a Necessary, Intelligent Being who directs all natural things to their ends with wisdom and knowledge and this being is God.