Is This A World of Purpose?

by David Cooper

11 July 2000

Introduction to Philosophy

Instructor Dr. Stephen Beck

Argument For Teleological View

Migrating herds of wild antelope . . . this is one example of a collective group of separate beings pushing toward a goal. Ultimately, the goal is for both immediate and long-term survival. Also, consider that all matter is made of atomic matter that moves in a never-ending cycle. Carbon atoms are assimilated into plants through photosynthesis. The carbon is used as fuel when eaten by other animals or when the plant is burned. Eventually the carbon either goes into the soil or into the air to be ingested by plants again. All matter, living and nonliving seems to work in perfect harmony. There is a system of checks and balances in place to ensure the environment is suitable for life. The purpose of the cosmic collective soul appears to be to work in an endless cycle, one that improves itself on a regular basis. Unneeded species of plants or animals get weeded out for various yet reasonable grounds. The dinosaurs may have served their purpose at the time and were thought to be unnecessary for the outline of things to come. So they were slated to become extinct. This idea of our cosmos, living and nonliving, being mechanical or machine-like does make sense. Any machine will fail if components are indisriminately removed. Over time, our planet has seen thousands of plants and animals disappear, not to mention global catastrophes that reshape entire continents. Despite this, life always returns. These endless cycles seem to support teleology.

Argument Against Teleological View

Humans feel an inherent separateness from all around us. We are indeed the wisest of all know animal species and yet we purposely isolate ourselves from much of nature, showing no real connection to the very things necessary to our survival. We seem to prefer to live in areas with as few lifeforms as possible. We may choose to grow one type of grass in our lawn and use a herbicide to screen out the rest. Pesticides kill off insects needed for biologic cycles. We see native animals move further and further from man. Time and again man has hunted animals to extinction and exhausted resources that we depend on. Never has a plant or animal sought to dominate or control on the scale that man has. If we were all spiritually connected, as teleology suggests, would we not sense the need for that which we destroy? It would appear as if man were the only animal not living in harmony with this divine spirit flowing through all matter. I feel teleology does not address that men are not in sync with earth's cycles. Do we fit into the greater intentions of this spirit? Possibly this entity has terminal cancer and man is that cancer.