Cleanthes
In David Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, Cleanthes' argument fromdesign is successful in supporting the idea that the universe has an ordered arrangementand pattern. This argument is not sound in its ability to prove the existence of the ChristianGod. However, Cleanthes does present a sound case for order in the universe, which canbe seen as an aspect of one's faith in a Supreme Creator. In the argument from design,Cleanthes is attempting to discover and defend the basic foundations of religion by usingthe same methods applied in scientific thought. Paramount in the process of scientificthought is reliance on previous observation and experience of certain causes resulting inspecific effects. If a scientist experiences a million times that when chemical A is directlyexposed to fire, an enormous explosion takes place, it is logical that the scientist is whollyexpecting the same effect the next time the experiment is run. It appears through this lineof reasoning that the argument from design relies heavily on the relative probability of anevent occurring over a specified period of time. This idea corresponds to humaninterpretation of the Universe in that perception without the aid of experience
2) Even if one believes that truthis relative, they must agree that there is an experience that has occurred in the past causingthis person to label a particular outcome as being true or false. Through the rules of analogy,Cleanthes comes to the following argument and subsequent conclusion: Since bothmachines and the human mind share the tendency toward order and producing an end fromprevious, ordered means, the two most likely arise from a similar cause. There are variationswithin this principle, but the basic foundation is this: New worlds are created with everyparticle interaction, and with all these worlds (or universes), it is not unexpected that atleast one is ideally suited for life. It is a natural humaninclination to postulate on phenomena beyond their comprehension through tangibleexamples such as nature, the human mind, and the cosmos. On the issue of comparing two events from experience, Philo contendsthat the origin of the universe was a singular event of which man has no experience, andtherefore cannot compare it to anything such as a watch or a house. To presume to understand from experience anevent so beyond the scope of logic granted to the human mind is absurd, but to ruminateon the nature of such a creation is far more realistic. This is not an attempt to avoid responsibilityin supporting an argument that falls short in proving the existence of God. is notsufficient in the realization process of a particular phenomenon. Perhaps this is another example of examining the part in an attemptto rationalize the whole, but we must use examples of things that we know to be true toanalyze things we know nothing about. Cleanthes argues that the universe is "nothingbut one great machine, subdivided into an infinite number of lesser machines. " Thisprinciple holds in common with the argument from design that, inherent in the nature ofthe universe is a certain order that fosters the perfect environment for intelligent life. He may have fallen short of proving the existence of a Christian God, if thatwas even his original intent, but Cleanthes' does present a very intelligent and persuasiveargument in favor of a universe based on order and design. Cleanthes' argument from design is an attempt by a man tocome to grips with an incomprehensible event through human faculties of both science andreligious faith.
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Acceptance Essays
