Paley

,

William

1743-1805

,
Christian

In crossing a heath, suppose I pitched my foot against a stone, and were asked how the stone came there.  I might possibly answer, that for anything I knew to the contrary it had lain there for ever; nor would it, perhaps, be very easy to show the absurdity of this answer.  But suppose I had found a watch upon the ground … I should hardly think of the answer I had before given … Yet why should this answer not serve for the watch as well as the stone …?  For this reason, and for no other, namely, that when we come to inspect the watch, we perceive — what we could not discover in the stone — that its several parts are framed and put together for a purpose.

Natural Theology (chapter 1), p. 1 – proof by intelligent design

– proof by intelligent design

Do you have something to add? You can contribute to the Conversation! Contribute a quote here:
Contribute A Quote