
The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast Episode 167: Hume on Intelligent Design (Philosophize This! Crossover) (Part One)
Jul 3, 2017
This discussion features Stephen West, host of the Philosophize This! podcast, who dives into David Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. They explore whether nature's complexity indicates a designer and debate the strength of this argument. Key topics include Hume's skeptical views on traditional theism, the problem of evil, and the distinction between rationalism and empiricism. West and the hosts tackle how natural design arguments intertwine with evolution and discuss the pitfalls of applying causation to God's existence.
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Episode notes
Podcasting Camaraderie Story
- Stephen West describes podcasting camaraderie where shows aren't competitors but complementary.
- He recounts listening to Partially Examined Life before starting his own Philosophize This! podcast.
Empiricism Versus A Priori Theology
- Hume's Dialogue contrasts empiricism with a priori theology by staging Cleanthes, Demia, and Philo.
- The design argument appeals to sensory order, but can't reach the infinite, traditional God.
Design Shows A Maker, Not An Infinite God
- Cleanthes argues that complexity and order in nature resemble design and support a designer.
- Demia counters that analogy only yields a maker, not an infinite, perfect God.





