A Critical Analysis of Graham Oppy's Naturalistic Foundations in the Rejection of Teleological Arguments

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Philosophy of Religion, Faculty of Theology, Farabi Campus, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran

10.22059/jpht.2025.401666.1006144

Abstract

This article offers a critical analysis of Graham Oppy's naturalistic foundations in his rejection of teleological arguments (arguments from order and design). Leaning on the philosophical framework of naturalism, Oppy contends that the existence of order and complexity in the universe doesn't necessitate a supernatural explanation from an intelligent being (God). He posits that all worldly phenomena can be fully explained by natural processes and physical laws. This study aims to go beyond merely restating Oppy's arguments, but to critically evaluate his metaphysical assumptions. This paper demonstrates that Oppy's naturalism is not an evidence-based conclusion but a prior philosophical assumption. By denying the possibility of supernatural phenomena from the outset, his critique of teleological arguments becomes a case of begging the question. Ultimately, this research concludes that Oppy's refutation of teleological arguments heavily depends on his philosophical presuppositions, with its success contingent on the acceptance of naturalism as the only valid worldview.

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References

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Philosophy of Religion
Volume 22, Issue 4
January 2026
Pages 287-297

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