In Natural Theology William Paley set out to prove the existence of God from the evidence of the beauty and order of the natural world. Famously beginning by comparing the world to a watch, whose design is self-evident, he goes on to provide examples from biology, anatomy, and astronomy in order to demonstrate the intricacy and ingenuity of design that could only come from a wise and benevolent deity. This new edition, which coincides with the bicentennial of Paley's death, reprints the original text of 1802, which was very influential in its day, and still controversial in ours as we see a resurgence in the debate between"intelligent design" and "creationism." The introduction explains how the book built on the early modern natural theology tradition and why it was so influential. The book also contains two appendixes on Paley's courses, an extended bibliography, and full notes offering further background on the key figures of the day.
Author(s): William Paley
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 384
Contents......Page 8
Introduction......Page 10
Note on the Text......Page 31
Select Bibliography......Page 33
A Chronology of William Paley......Page 37
Natural Theology......Page 40
To The Honorable and Right Reverend Shute Barrington, LL.D. Lord Bishop of Durham......Page 42
Table of Contents......Page 44
I. State of the Argument......Page 46
II. State of the Argument Continued......Page 50
III. Application of the Argument......Page 55
IV. Of the Succession of Plants and Animals......Page 71
V. Application of the Argument Continued......Page 74
VI. The Argument Cumulative......Page 84
VII. Of the Mechanical and Immechanical Functions of Animals and Vegetables......Page 86
VIII. Of Mechanical Arrangement in the Human Frame––Of the Bones......Page 93
IX. Of the Muscles......Page 108
X. Of the Vessels of Animal Bodies......Page 121
XI. Of the Animal Structure Regarded as a Mass......Page 140
XII. Comparative Anatomy......Page 153
XIII. Peculiar Organizations......Page 168
XIV. Prospective Contrivances......Page 174
XV. Relations......Page 179
XVI. Compensation......Page 186
XVII. The Relation of Animated Bodies to Inanimate Nature......Page 194
XVIII. Instincts......Page 199
XIX. Of Insects......Page 209
XX. Of Plants......Page 222
XXI. The Elements......Page 233
XXII. Astronomy......Page 238
XXIII. Of the Personality of the Deity......Page 252
XXIV. Of the Natural Attributes of the Deity......Page 269
XXV. The Unity of the Deity......Page 273
XXVI. The Goodness of the Deity......Page 276
XXVII. Conclusion......Page 316
Appendix: Further Reading......Page 323
Explanatory Notes......Page 333
