GCSE Philosophy and Ethics Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Guide to Mastering Your Exam!

William Paley used the analogy of a watch found in a field to illustrate his design argument, which is part of his broader work in Natural Theology. In this analogy, he suggested that if one were to come across a watch while walking in a field, one would naturally conclude that it must have been made by an intelligent designer due to its intricate parts working together for a specific purpose. This reasoning serves to highlight the complexity and functionality of the universe, akin to the watch, suggesting that just as a watch implies a watchmaker, the natural world implies a creator.

Paley's analogy emphasizes the idea that the order and purpose found in nature cannot merely be the result of chance; they indicate deliberate design. By comparing the natural world to a watch, he effectively argues that the existence of complex systems, such as living organisms, points towards the existence of an intelligent designer, which aligns with the central premise of the design argument.