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    Carmelics

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    Home/Original/inverse
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    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Aquinas argued in Summa Theologiae Q.2 A.3 that things lacking cognition tend toward ends only as directed by some intelligent being, as the arrow requires an archer.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Natural selection explains apparent goal-directedness without invoking intelligence; no archer needed for evolutionary outcomes.
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    • 2.Physical laws governing particle behavior sufficiently account for directedness; positing intelligence adds unnecessary explanatory layers.
      ?

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    • 3.The 'archer' analogy fails: arrows are artifacts, but natural entities aren't manufactured objects requiring external intentional direction.
      ?

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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Non-cognitive entities like atoms lack awareness of goals, yet exhibit consistent directedness toward specific outcomes in nature.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The appearance of purposeful design in unconscious matter (e.g., eye structure) requires explanation; intelligent direction provides it.
      ?

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    • 3.Causal chains require a first mover; otherwise infinite regress results. An intelligent being can serve as this necessary terminus.
      ?

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