Summary Of William Paley S Natural Theology 1802 Chapters I III
Summary of William Paley’s Natural Theology (1802), Chapters I-III
Keith Burgess-Jackson
22 September 2013
Introduction. Natural Theology was written during the late 1790s. It was published in the early months of 1802, three years before Paley died. The first printing of 1,000 copies sold out almost immediately. It was “an enormous success.” Second, third, and fourth editions were published the same year (1802). Fifth and sixth editions were published in 1808. Twelve more editions were published between 1816 and 1822. Charles Darwin read and was influenced by the book.
Chapter I. State of the argument. Paley makes his analogical argument for the existence of a deity. The analogy is implicit until Chapter III, where Paley makes it explicit. The watch is supposed to be analogous to an organism (or perhaps to an organ, such as the human eye or the human heart). Since we would infer the existence of a “maker” in the case of the watch, we should do the same in the case of the organism/organ. Having sketched the argument, Paley states and replies to various objections:
I. We have never seen a watch made, or known anyone capable of making one; nor are we able to make one ourselves, or understand how it is done.
II. The watch sometimes goes wrong (or seldom goes exactly right).
III. There are parts whose function is unknown or of whom it is not known whether they have a function.
IV. The watch is “one out of possible combinations of material forms.” This objection is obscure. V. A principle of order “disposed the parts of the watch into their present form and situation.” VI. The watch is proof not of contrivance but “only a motive to induce the mind to think so.” This objection is obscure.
VII. The watch is the result of the laws of metallic nature.
VIII. Nothing is known about the matter.
Chapter II. State of the argument continued. The watch now produces “another watch like itself.” What effect would this development have on our thinking?
I. It would increase our
Keith Burgess-Jackson
22 September 2013
Introduction. Natural Theology was written during the late 1790s. It was published in the early months of 1802, three years before Paley died. The first printing of 1,000 copies sold out almost immediately. It was “an enormous success.” Second, third, and fourth editions were published the same year (1802). Fifth and sixth editions were published in 1808. Twelve more editions were published between 1816 and 1822. Charles Darwin read and was influenced by the book.
Chapter I. State of the argument. Paley makes his analogical argument for the existence of a deity. The analogy is implicit until Chapter III, where Paley makes it explicit. The watch is supposed to be analogous to an organism (or perhaps to an organ, such as the human eye or the human heart). Since we would infer the existence of a “maker” in the case of the watch, we should do the same in the case of the organism/organ. Having sketched the argument, Paley states and replies to various objections:
I. We have never seen a watch made, or known anyone capable of making one; nor are we able to make one ourselves, or understand how it is done.
II. The watch sometimes goes wrong (or seldom goes exactly right).
III. There are parts whose function is unknown or of whom it is not known whether they have a function.
IV. The watch is “one out of possible combinations of material forms.” This objection is obscure. V. A principle of order “disposed the parts of the watch into their present form and situation.” VI. The watch is proof not of contrivance but “only a motive to induce the mind to think so.” This objection is obscure.
VII. The watch is the result of the laws of metallic nature.
VIII. Nothing is known about the matter.
Chapter II. State of the argument continued. The watch now produces “another watch like itself.” What effect would this development have on our thinking?
I. It would increase our