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Judaism: Religious Experience

The design argument and Judaism

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 3

Overview

Paley's watch, Rabbi Akiva and Bahya ibn Paquda, Genesis 1 read by Orthodox and Reform Jews, fine-tuning, Hume's many designers, and the claim that evolution replaces design.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How have Jewish thinkers argued from design to a Creator?

Evaluation

How does the classical design argument reason to the Almighty's existence?

Key term

How might a Jew use William Paley's watch analogy?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How does the classical design argument reason to the Almighty's existence?

    Model answer

    The design argument says the universe shows order, purpose and complexity. Design of this kind points to a designer, whom Jews identify as the Almighty.

  2. 2

    How might a Jew use William Paley's watch analogy?

    Model answer

    Paley argued that finding a watch implies a watchmaker, since its parts fit a purpose. A Jew might say the far more complex universe implies the Almighty as its maker.

  3. 3

    How did Rabbi Akiva use a design argument?

    Model answer

    Rabbi Akiva said that as a garment shows there was a weaver, the world shows there is a Creator.

  4. 4

    How did Bahya ibn Paquda use a design argument?

    Model answer

    Bahya ibn Paquda said that spilled ink never forms neat writing by chance. The ordered world likewise needs a wise Creator.

  5. 5

    How does Genesis 1 support the design argument for Jews?

    Model answer

    Genesis 1 shows God creating in a careful order, separating light from darkness and filling the world with life. God sees that everything is good, suggesting a purposeful plan.

  6. 6

    How do Orthodox and Reform Jews interpret Genesis 1 in relation to design?

    Model answer

    Many Orthodox Jews see Genesis 1 as describing God's direct design of each kind of creature. Many Reform Jews see God's design working through natural processes like evolution.

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