Expert: Austin Cline - 6/24/2010

Question
Hello,


we often weaken God explanation for design in this Universe by stating that God has to be more complex, so requiring a creator as well.

But, theologians like Platinga argue that, on the contrary, God is simple and complexity as formulated in design argument is a precise arrangements of parts of a thing that couldn't arise by chance, but God isn't a thing, he is immaterial.
So, He doesn't require a designer.

Notice that this supreme being has however volition and great intelligence;
but aren't these processes complex (thus impossible to arise by chance, according to teleological reasonings), making God a designed spirit?


sincerely

Answer
You are correct that this allegedly "simple" deity still possesses characteristics that appear to require complexity: intelligent, volition and planning to say the least. What's more, people like Platinga aren't merely arguing for some vague deity but rather the Christian deity - and that deity has a whole lot more characteristics: creator not just of the material universe and material beings but also spiritual realms (heaven, hell) and beings (angels, souls). There is the entire scheme of salvation (Jesus' death and resurrection), the inspiration of the Bible, revelations, the Garden of Eden, and so forth.

Now, is it impossible that this arrangement could have all come about by chance? If so, then this deity requires a designer.

Furthermore, people like Platinga is wrong scientifically: it's simplicity that requires design, not complexity:

http://atheism.about.com/b/2006/08/07/simplicity-vs-complexity-does-simplicity-o...

So defending the Design Argument by insisting that God is actually simple produces the opposite of the desired result: it makes God more in need of explanation and the universe less in need of one.