GCSE Philosophy and Ethics Practice Exam

What analogy did William Paley use to provide evidence for the design argument?

1. The complexity of the eye

2. The Grand Canyon

3. A watch found in a field

4. The structure of DNA

The correct answer is: A watch found in a field

William Paley used the analogy of a watch found in a field to illustrate his design argument, which is part of his broader work in Natural Theology. In this analogy, he suggested that if one were to come across a watch while walking in a field, one would naturally conclude that it must have been made by an intelligent designer due to its intricate parts working together for a specific purpose. This reasoning serves to highlight the complexity and functionality of the universe, akin to the watch, suggesting that just as a watch implies a watchmaker, the natural world implies a creator. Paley's analogy emphasizes the idea that the order and purpose found in nature cannot merely be the result of chance; they indicate deliberate design. By comparing the natural world to a watch, he effectively argues that the existence of complex systems, such as living organisms, points towards the existence of an intelligent designer, which aligns with the central premise of the design argument.