Design versus the Epicurean Hypothesis
Design versus the Epicurean Hypothesis
Two Thousand Years of Debate
This chapter pursues the debate over design from its origins in ancient Greek philosophy through the Enlightenment to Cuvier and Darwin, contrasts teleological views with those of the atomist or Epicurean school, and examines the prehistory of the principle of the conditions for existence itself. It also examines the scientific revolution and the revolt against teleology, and the emergence of the modern argument of design in the later seventeenth century. The chapter furthermore explores the rebirth of natural theology and then turns to the viewpoint promulgated by three leading British scientists: Robert Boyle, John Ray, and Isaac Newton.
Keywords: Enlightenment, Cuvier, Darwin, scientific revolution, teleology, natural theology, Robert Boyle, John Ray, Isaac Newton
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