When1: 1785
When2: 1802
Who: William Paley [Paley, William]
What: philosopher
Where: London, England
works\ Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy [1785]; Evidences of Christianity [1794]; Natural Theology [1802]
Detail: He lived 1743 to 1805 and formulated argument from design.
Ethics
Right is what agrees with will of God. Proper actions come from moral, but not necessarily noble, feelings.
Utility, not emotions or altruism, causes people's actions. God uses Heaven and Hell to try to make people avoid temporal gain. People's fear and hope can control their selfish desires, because people act only in their own interest. Morals require rewards and punishments, together with power or authority to enforce law.
Metaphysics
Anyone who sees watches must assume that watchmakers designed and formed them, so observing universe makes people assume that God designed and formed it {argument from design, Paley}.
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Date Modified: 2022.0224