William Paley: The Design Argument

A full lesson that covers Paley’s Design Argument, the lesson covers strengths and weaknesses of this argument for God, with a computer-based activity along with accompanying optional videos that you can visit during the lesson to add depth to commentary on Paley’s famous ‘argument from design’. Numerous pictures are included to clearly illustrate examples of possible alleged design in the universe and world.

You can also adapt and print out materials based on the PowerPoint slides if you want to produce physical worksheets.

The topics that are included and that you can cover in the lesson

• The Heat Death of the universe and how it could affect beliefs about a designer.
• The Cambrian Explosion (life suddenly appearing in the fossil record) and how it could affect belief about a designer vis a vis Paley’s Design Argument.
• The Big Bang and the Cosmic Lottery (how the universe appears to be perfectly tuned to life) and how this could affect views of the Design Argument.
• Some points about ‘lack of design’ highlighted by Darwin and Attenborough are also included for brief discussion.

A latter activity using computers or own devices involves a data-sorting activity to encompass other critiques or supporting points for the argument. A Design Argument quiz link via Quizziz is also included for potential use. All rounded off with a plenary to recap.