5.+Individual+Analysis+3

 **Natural Theology**

"In crossing a heath, suppose I pitched my foot against a stone, and were asked how the stone came to be there; I might possibly answer, that, for anything I knew to the contrary, it had lain there forever: nor would it perhaps be very easy to show the absurdity of this answer. But suppose I had found a watch upon the ground, and it should be inquired how the watch happened to be in that place; I should hardly think of the answer I had before given, that for anything I knew, the watch might have always been there. (...) There must have existed, at some time, and at some place or other, an artificer or artificers, who formed [the watch] for the purpose which we find it actually to answer; who comprehended its construction, and designed its use. (...) Every indication of contrivance, every manifestation of design, which existed in the watch, exists in the works of nature; with the difference, on the side of nature, of being greater or more, and that in a degree which exceeds all computation."

– William Paley, Natural Theology (1802)

William Paley draws a comparison with the structure of nature and the structure of a watch. A watch is composed of clockworks and intricate designs that make the watch move in very complex ways. Just like a watch, the universe [solar system] works by the same ways but instead of having the little small mechanical tools it has the asteroid belts, the planets orbiting around the sun, and the different stars. He believes that the complex structure of nature needs a designer. Just like a watch it couldn’t have been created out of no where, it needed a watchmaker and according to Paley god is the “watchmaker” of nature and the entire universe. Nature couldn't have been created by chance, and it is obvious that life is designed. Not only does William Paley give a comparison between the structure of nature and the structure of a watch, but he also argues against Charles Darwin's theory of Natural Selection. He strongly believes that nature needs a creator.

FGonzalez

1.William Paley, William. "Natural Theology." Kids 4 Truth | Home. 06 Feb. 2009 .

2."BEETLE MECHANIQUE Vintage Watch Ring STEAMPUNK Being Worn on Flickr - Photo Sharing!" __Welcome to Flickr - Photo Sharing__. 06 Feb. 2009 .