Natural Theology (2008)

4.40 out of 5 stars

Description

In his seminal work, Natural Theology, William Paley embarked on a quest to substantiate the existence of God through the empirical evidence of the natural world's beauty and order. Commencing with the now-iconic analogy of the world to a watch, whose intricate design is self-evident, Paley masterfully presents a plethora of examples from biology, anatomy, and astronomy to demonstrate the ingenuity and complexity of design that could only be attributed to a wise and benevolent deity. This commemorative edition, marking the 200th anniversary of Paley's passing, faithfully reprints the original 1802 text, which wielded significant influence in its time and remains contentious in ours, as the debate between "intelligent design" and "creationism" continues to simmer. The introduction provides a nuanced exploration of how the book built upon the early modern natural theology tradition and its enduring impact. The volume also features two appendices on Paley's courses, an exhaustive bibliography, and comprehensive notes that offer valuable insights into the key figures of the era. As part of the Oxford World's Classics series, this edition reflects the esteemed publisher's commitment to scholarly excellence, providing an accurate text accompanied by a rich array of features, including authoritative introductions, copious notes, and up-to-date bibliographies, all at an affordable price.

Contributors

Matthew D. Eddy

AUTHOR

David Knight

AUTHOR

William Paley

AUTHOR

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