Natural TheologyWilliam Paley's classic brings depth to the history of intelligent design arguments. The contrivance of the eye, the ear, and numerous other anatomical features throughout the natural world are presented as arguments for God's presence and concern. While there are distinctive differences between Paley's argument and those used today by intelligent design theorists and creationists, it remains a fascinating glimpse of the nineteenth-century's debate over the roles of religion and science. |
Contents
State of the Argument | 7 |
State of the Argument Continued | 11 |
Application of the Argument | 16 |
Of the Succession of Plants and Animals | 32 |
Application of the Argument Continued | 35 |
The Argument Cumulative | 44 |
The Mechanical and Immechanical Parts and Functions | 46 |
Mechanical Arrangement in the Human Frame | 53 |
Compensation | 143 |
The Relation of Animated Bodies to Inanimate nature | 151 |
Instincts | 155 |
Of Insects | 165 |
Of Plants | 178 |
The Elements | 189 |
Astronomy | 194 |
Of the Personality of the Deity | 208 |
Of the Muscles | 68 |
Of the Vessels of Animal Bodies | 81 |
Of the Animal Structure Regarded as a Mass | 99 |
Comparative Anatomy | 111 |
Peculiar Organizations | 125 |
Prospective Contrivances | 131 |
Relations | 136 |
Of the Natural Attributes of the Deity | 224 |
The Unity of the Deity | 228 |
Goodness of the Deity | 231 |
Conclusion | 267 |
Plates | 275 |
Resources for Design Arguments 2005 | 283 |
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Common terms and phrases
action adapted admissible laws animal bodies answer appears argument arteries birds blood bones called carried cartilage cause cavity centre chyle consequence considerable constitution contraction contrivance Creator degree Deity digestion direction distance distinct earth effect eggs eustachian tube evident example existence experience faculties feather fibres fish fluid gastric juice gland hinge-joint human humerus insects instance instrument intelligence intestines joint lacteals less ligament light limbs lungs manner means mechanism membrane motion mouth mucilage muscles muscular namely natural theology nature necessary nictitating membrane object observed operation organ oviparous particular perceive perhaps plants pleasure principle proboscis produced properties purpose quadrupeds reason relation respect secondly seed sense shell side species spissitude stomach structure substance sufficient superfecundity suppose supposition surface teeth tendons terrestrial animals thing tube tympanum ulna variety vertebrae vessels wanted watch whole wings