Paley’s Watchmaker
One of the most popular forms of the argument was given by William Paley (1743–
1805), the archdeacon of Carlisle. Paley insisted that if one found a watch in an empty
field, one would rightly conclude that it had a watchmaker because of its obvious
design. Likewise, when one looks at the even more complex design of the world in
which we live, one cannot but conclude that there is a great Designer behind it. Let us
put the argument in summary form (ibid.).
1. A watch shows that it was put together for an intelligent purpose (to keep time): (a)
It has a spring to give it motion. (b) It has a series of wheels to transmit this motion.
(c) The wheels are made of brass so that they do not rust. (d) The spring is made of
steel because of the resilience of that metal. (e) The front cover is of glass so that one
can see through it.
2. The world shows an even greater evidence of design than a watch: (a) The world is a
greater work of art than a watch. (b) The world has more subtle and complex design
than a watch. (c) The world has an endless variety of means adapted to ends.
3. Therefore, if the existence of a watch implies a watchmaker, the existence of the
world implies an even greater intelligent Designer (God).
Geisler, N. L. (1999). In Baker encyclopedia of Christian apologetics (p. 715). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.