GCSE Philosophy and Ethics Practice Exam

Richard Dawkins suggested that people see the world with ________ when critiquing the design argument:

1. Evolutionary preferences

2. Purpose coloured spectacles

3. Faith-based biases

4. Scientific clarity

The correct answer is: Purpose coloured spectacles

The choice of "Purpose coloured spectacles" aligns well with Richard Dawkins' critique of the design argument, which posits that the complexity of life and the universe implies a designer. Dawkins argues that people often interpret the natural world as having purpose and design due to preconceived notions or biases. By describing this perspective as viewing the world through "purpose coloured spectacles," he suggests that individuals see evidence of design where there may be none, instead attributing intentionality to natural phenomena that could otherwise be explained by evolutionary processes. This phrase captures the idea that people's interpretations are often filtered through their assumptions about the existence of purpose in nature, which is a central part of his argument against the belief in a designed universe.