William Paley

William Paley “Natural Theology”

18th Century British Christian philosopher William Paley is famous for his watchmaker analogy and his work “Natural Theology” is of historical relevance in the history of creationism. The teleological argument that the complexity and existence of life infers contrivance dates back to Cicero (c. 106–c. 43 B.C.) and maintains cultural currency in the contemporary study of cellular biology and is known as the theory of intelligent design. These arguments are extremely important in the relationship between the scientific world and that of theology. This is a complex and seemingly irresolvable controversy in which reason is used or manipulated to substantiate or counter abstract religious belief systems.

Paley uses analogical reasoning to provide “evidence” of the existence of God as a creator. He provides elaborate examples of mechanical biological systems of life and states that the complexity and workings of nature infer intent and contrivance.
His illustrative use of the man made watch serves to frame the basis of his argument. If the watch exists we can only infer that it had a maker. For this there is no other explanation.

Paley provides us with many examples. He cites the eye, the heart and other organs as sophisticated artistic machines of crucial purpose. He delves into the complexity of the circulatory and digestive systems as evidence of mutual dependency and as elaborate individual functions designed to serve the collective purpose of life. Paley investigates the comparative anatomy of various species in order to further his argument that these systems are built to suit the individual needs of the creature or life form. The same species variables that serve Darwin as evidence of evolutionary adaptation, serve Paley as evidence of the wondrous complexity of design intended by his creator. He explores the arenas of reproduction, of interspecies relationships, of adaptation to habitat and of cyclical preparation and instinct, all examples which are used to further convince us of contrivance.

Paley relates virtually every example directly to the machinery of man. The systematic and purposeful functions and intricacies of life are to Paley mechanistic demonstrations of intention and creation. That the mechanics of life require a maker is the only feasible explanation Paley can deduce and that there is counter argument to design and creationism is to him, simply the “debility of mind” revealing itself as atheism.

Paley insists that each example provides a cumulative effect to support his thesis. Every admirable aspect of the natural world is another testament to the artistic and intelligent intent of a creator. His notable delight in the beauty of these systems and the intense study and consideration of the complex relationships between the earth and its various life forms provides the reader with evidence of the passion behind his beliefs.

Paley uses reason as a tool to rationalize and argue for an intuitive spiritual understanding he has of the universe and a belief in God. In a time where the institution of science prevails over theology as a cultural religion in itself; it is very difficult to find Paley’s arguments convincing. Current creationist arguments are delving into the microscopic world of mechanical cellular structure and citing “irreducible complexity” as proof of the same contrivance, intent and design advocated by Paley. These claims are fervently refuted by the large majority of the scientific community as scientifically groundless and as fundamentally religious in nature.

While science continues to fail as an apparatus to prove intelligent design as inarguable fact; it also fails to disprove the existence of a higher power. It could be said that Paley’s intent to make a convincing argument for his passionate beliefs and his sense of wonder in the study of the mechanics of the body and nature was an entirely rational and perhaps admirable pursuit. His assertion that our ignorance need not beget distrust is an important point to consider on many terms. Whether or not we choose to believe in a higher power, as a species we are most certainly still seeking to understand what it means to be here and to fix upon any answer is still a leap of faith.