Physico-theological Argument

views updated

Physico-theological Argument. Type of argument for God's existence, from determinate experience of the natural world, especially of its order, purposiveness, and beauty. It is the third kind of theistic argument discussed by Kant, after the ontological and cosmological arguments. Nowadays such arguments are referred to as ‘teleological’.

The argument has been revived in the 20th cent., but it is often presented as an argument from analogy which seeks to establish the probability rather than the certainty of divine existence.

About this article

Physico-theological Argument

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article