Question 1

Berkeley says, "Hence, it is evident that matter is known as certainly and immediately as any other mind or spirit whatsoever distinct from ourselves."

Accepted Answer

Berkeley actually argues against the existence of matter as a substance existing independently of perception. He is known for his idealism, which suggests that objects only exist as perceptions in our minds and not as independent entities.

Question 2

What support does Berkeley provide for his argument that "When in broad daylight I open my eyes, it is not in my power to choose whether I shall see or no, or to determine what particular objects shall present themselves to my view"?

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Question 3

Why does Berkeley claim that the ideas of Sense are more strong, lively, and distinct than those of the imagination? Do you agree with Berkeley?

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Question 4

How does the idea of "laws of nature" fit into Berkeley's position? Is Berkeley's use of the term "laws of nature" universally accepted?

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Question 5

What arguments does Berkeley give to support the claim that "certainly no idea, whether faint or strong, can exist otherwise than in a mind perceiving it"? Do you agree with Berkeley?

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Question 6

Berkeley claims that "it is evident that God is known as certainly and immediately as any other mind or spirit whatsoever distinct from ourselves." Do you agree with Berkeley?

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Question 7

Paley argues that if you find a watch while you are out walking, upon inspecting it you would probably conclude that ...
A) it had been there forever.
B) it must have had a maker.
C) it was recently lost by its owner.
D) it was broken.

Accepted Answer

Paley's argument is that the intricate design of a watch necessitates the existence of a skilled maker, rather than it being a product of chance or natural processes. Therefore, the most likely conclusion upon finding a watch would be that it must have had a maker.

Question 8

Paley says that even if "we had never seen a watch made; that we had never known an artist capable of making one; that we were altogether incapable of executing such a piece of workmanship ourselves, or of understanding in what manner it was performed," nevertheless, we would still conclude that ...
A) it had been there forever.
B) it must have had a maker.
C) it was recently lost by its owner.
D) it was broken.

Accepted Answer

Paley is arguing for the existence of a watchmaker analogy, which suggests that the complexity and intricacy of a watch imply the existence of a watchmaker. Therefore, even without any prior knowledge or experience with watches, we would still infer that the watch must have had a maker.

Question 9

Paley claims that, "It is not necessary that a machine be _______, in order to show with what design it was made: still less necessary, where the only question is, whether it were made with any design at all."
A) perfect
B) observable
C) organic
D) inorganic

Accepted Answer

Paley argues that perfection is not required to determine if something was made with a specific design or purpose, especially when the question is merely about the existence of any design at all. This suggests that even imperfect or flawed creations can indicate design.

Question 10

Paley says, "Nor, fifthly, would it yield his inquiry more satisfaction to be answered, that there existed in things a ______________, which had disposed the parts of the watch into their present form and situation."
A) magnitude of disorder
B) trajectory of force
C) principle of order
D) discontinuous flux

Accepted Answer

Paley is discussing his argument for the existence of a designer, and he is positing that it would not be satisfying to suggest that the watch took its form and situation due to some random, chaotic force. Instead, he believes that the parts of the watch were disposed into their present order by a principle of order, which implies a deliberate and intentional designer. Out of the given choices, the closest match to Paley's argument is "principle of order."

Question 11

Paley concludes that "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 and more, and that in a degree which exceeds all computation. There cannot be design without a ..."
A) blueprint.
B) construction.
C) plenum.
D) designer.

Accepted Answer

The sentence states that there cannot be design without a designer, indicating that Paley believes in the existence of a divine creator or God who designed and created the natural world. Choices A, B, and C are not relevant to Paley's argument.

Question 12

Paley argues that if you find a watch while you are out walking, upon inspecting it you would probably conclude that it was recently lost by its owner.

Accepted Answer

Paley's argument using the watch analogy is intended to illustrate the complexity and design inherent in the watch, leading to the conclusion that it must have a designer (similar to the argument for the existence of a designer for the universe), rather than focusing on the recent loss of the watch by its owner.

Question 13

Paley says that even if "we had never seen a watch made; that we had never known an artist capable of making one; that we were altogether incapable of executing such a piece of workmanship ourselves, or of understanding in what manner it was performed," nevertheless, we would still conclude that it must have had a maker.

Accepted Answer

Paley's argument is that the complexity and functionality of a watch imply design and purpose, even if we have no prior knowledge or understanding of watchmaking. Therefore, we would conclude that it had a maker.

Question 14

Paley claims that, "It is not necessary that a machine be perfect, in order to show with what design it was made: still less necessary, where the only question is, whether it were made with any design at all."

Accepted Answer

Paley argues that even if a machine is imperfect, it can still demonstrate the presence of design, and that the question of whether a machine was created with any design at all is even more important than whether it is perfect or not.

Question 15

Paley says, "Nor, fifthly, would it yield his inquiry more satisfaction to be answered, that there existed in things a magnitude of disorder, which had disposed the parts of the watch into their present form and situation."

Accepted Answer

Paley argues that the existence of disorder would not explain the intricate design and purposeful arrangement in a watch. So, it would not yield more satisfaction to the inquiry.

Question 16

Paley concludes that "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 and more, and that in a degree which exceeds all computation. There cannot be design without a designer."

Accepted Answer

Paley's conclusion is that there is evidence of design in both the watch and in nature, but that the complexity and magnitude of design in nature exceeds that of the watch, and therefore requires a designer.

Question 17

Do you think that Paley's reasoning and conclusions are strong when he compares finding a stone while you are out walking with your finding a watch while you are out walking? Can you think of any weakness in his discussion?

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Question 18

What is Paley's point when he claims that "It is not necessary that a machine be perfect, in order to show with what design it was made: still less necessary, where the only question is, whether it were made with any design at all"?

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Question 19

Explain how Paley uses the phrase "principle of order."

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Question 20

What is Paley's argument when he uses the idea of "laws of metallic nature"?

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Quiz 4: Plato the Beginning of Everything