The Argument from Divine Providence

Description: The Argument from Divine Providence is a philosophical argument for the existence of God. It is based on the idea that the universe is designed and ordered in such a way that it suggests the existence of a benevolent and intelligent creator. This quiz will test your understanding of the Argument from Divine Providence.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: philosophy of determinism the argument from divine providence
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What is the main premise of the Argument from Divine Providence?

  1. The universe is designed and ordered.

  2. The universe is eternal.

  3. The universe is infinite.

  4. The universe is composed of matter and energy.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Argument from Divine Providence is based on the idea that the universe is designed and ordered in such a way that it suggests the existence of a benevolent and intelligent creator.

What is the conclusion of the Argument from Divine Providence?

  1. God exists.

  2. The universe is eternal.

  3. The universe is infinite.

  4. The universe is composed of matter and energy.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Argument from Divine Providence concludes that the existence of a benevolent and intelligent creator is the best explanation for the design and order of the universe.

What is the main objection to the Argument from Divine Providence?

  1. The universe is not designed and ordered.

  2. The universe is eternal.

  3. The universe is infinite.

  4. The universe is composed of matter and energy.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main objection to the Argument from Divine Providence is that the universe is not actually designed and ordered. Some people argue that the universe is simply a result of random chance or natural processes.

What is one response to the objection that the universe is not designed and ordered?

  1. The universe is too complex to be a result of random chance.

  2. The universe is too fine-tuned for life to be a result of natural processes.

  3. The universe is too beautiful to be a result of anything other than design.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There are a number of responses to the objection that the universe is not designed and ordered. Some people argue that the universe is too complex to be a result of random chance, while others argue that it is too fine-tuned for life to be a result of natural processes. Still others argue that the universe is too beautiful to be a result of anything other than design.

What is the Argument from Divine Providence sometimes called?

  1. The Teleological Argument

  2. The Cosmological Argument

  3. The Ontological Argument

  4. The Moral Argument


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Argument from Divine Providence is sometimes called the Teleological Argument because it is based on the idea that the universe is designed and ordered for a purpose.

Who is one philosopher who has defended the Argument from Divine Providence?

  1. William Paley

  2. Thomas Aquinas

  3. René Descartes

  4. John Locke


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

William Paley was a British philosopher who defended the Argument from Divine Providence in his book Natural Theology.

Who is one philosopher who has criticized the Argument from Divine Providence?

  1. David Hume

  2. Immanuel Kant

  3. Bertrand Russell

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

David Hume, Immanuel Kant, and Bertrand Russell are all philosophers who have criticized the Argument from Divine Providence.

What is one criticism of the Argument from Divine Providence that David Hume raised?

  1. The universe is not actually designed and ordered.

  2. The argument relies on a false analogy between the universe and a watch.

  3. The argument commits the fallacy of affirming the consequent.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

David Hume raised a number of criticisms of the Argument from Divine Providence, including the claim that the universe is not actually designed and ordered, that the argument relies on a false analogy between the universe and a watch, and that the argument commits the fallacy of affirming the consequent.

What is one criticism of the Argument from Divine Providence that Immanuel Kant raised?

  1. The argument is based on a transcendental illusion.

  2. The argument relies on a false analogy between the universe and a watch.

  3. The argument commits the fallacy of affirming the consequent.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Immanuel Kant argued that the Argument from Divine Providence is based on a transcendental illusion, which is a belief that is necessary for us to have in order to experience the world, but which is not necessarily true.

What is one criticism of the Argument from Divine Providence that Bertrand Russell raised?

  1. The argument is based on a false analogy between the universe and a watch.

  2. The argument relies on a false definition of God.

  3. The argument commits the fallacy of affirming the consequent.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Bertrand Russell argued that the Argument from Divine Providence is based on a false analogy between the universe and a watch. He pointed out that a watch is designed by a watchmaker, but the universe is not designed by anyone.

What is one response to the criticism that the Argument from Divine Providence relies on a false analogy between the universe and a watch?

  1. The universe is not like a watch in every respect, but it is similar enough to a watch in terms of its design and order.

  2. The argument does not rely on a strict analogy between the universe and a watch, but rather on a looser analogy that highlights the similarities between the two.

  3. The argument is not based on an analogy at all, but rather on the direct observation of the design and order of the universe.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There are a number of responses to the criticism that the Argument from Divine Providence relies on a false analogy between the universe and a watch. Some people argue that the universe is not like a watch in every respect, but it is similar enough to a watch in terms of its design and order. Others argue that the argument does not rely on a strict analogy between the universe and a watch, but rather on a looser analogy that highlights the similarities between the two. Still others argue that the argument is not based on an analogy at all, but rather on the direct observation of the design and order of the universe.

What is one argument for the existence of God that is similar to the Argument from Divine Providence?

  1. The Cosmological Argument

  2. The Ontological Argument

  3. The Moral Argument

  4. The Argument from Beauty


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Cosmological Argument is another argument for the existence of God that is similar to the Argument from Divine Providence. The Cosmological Argument starts with the observation that the universe exists and then argues that the existence of the universe requires the existence of a creator.

What is one argument for the existence of God that is different from the Argument from Divine Providence?

  1. The Cosmological Argument

  2. The Ontological Argument

  3. The Moral Argument

  4. The Argument from Beauty


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Ontological Argument is an argument for the existence of God that is different from the Argument from Divine Providence. The Ontological Argument starts with the definition of God as a being that is perfect in every way and then argues that the existence of such a being is logically necessary.

What is one argument for the existence of God that is based on the moral order of the universe?

  1. The Cosmological Argument

  2. The Ontological Argument

  3. The Moral Argument

  4. The Argument from Beauty


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Moral Argument is an argument for the existence of God that is based on the moral order of the universe. The Moral Argument starts with the observation that there is a moral order in the universe and then argues that the existence of this moral order requires the existence of a moral creator.

What is one argument for the existence of God that is based on the beauty of the universe?

  1. The Cosmological Argument

  2. The Ontological Argument

  3. The Moral Argument

  4. The Argument from Beauty


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Argument from Beauty is an argument for the existence of God that is based on the beauty of the universe. The Argument from Beauty starts with the observation that the universe is beautiful and then argues that the existence of this beauty requires the existence of a beautiful creator.

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