Teleological Argument / Argument from Design

Version #1: Argument from Analogy

1. A watch is an intricate and complex thing, and so is a biological organism, though the latter is incalculably more intricate and complex than a watch.

2. Due to its intricacy and complexity, the watch must have been designed by an intelligent creature, such as a human being.
3. Therefore, due to its intricacy and complexity, the biological organism must have been designed by an intelligent creature, though one that is incalculably more intelligent than a human being. (Argument from Analogy, 1, 2)
4. The only creature that is sufficiently intelligent is God.
5. Therefore, God is the designer of the biological organism. (Causal Argument, 3,4)

6. If something that was designed exists, then its designer must exist.

7. Therefore, if the biological organism exists, then God must exist. (Barbara, 5, 6)

8. The biological organism exists.

9. Therefore, God exists. (Modus Ponens, 7, 8)

Version #2: Inference to the Best Explanation

1. A biological organism is incalculably intricate and complex.

2. There are two possible explanations for its intricacy and complexity: It was designed by an intelligent creature, or it came into existence due to random chance.

3. The first explanation is the best explanation.
4. Therefore, the biological organism was designed by an intelligent creature. (Inference to the Best Explanation, 1-3)
5. The only creature that is sufficiently intelligent to design the biological organism is God.
6. Therefore, God is the designer of the biological organism. (Causal Argument, 4, 5)

7. If something that was designed exists, then its designer must exist.

8. Therefore, if the biological organism exists, then God must exist. (Barbara, 6, 7)

9. The biological organism exists.

10. Therefore, God exists. (Modus Ponens, 8, 9)