Arguments for the Existence of God

The Design Argument: Paley's Analogical Argument

Ten-Mark Questions

Examine the design argument for the existence of God. (A-Level Specimen 2)

Examine how Paley’s design argument encourages people to believe in God. (A-Level 2022)

Examine an a posteriori argument for the existence of God.

Examine an analogical argument for the existence of God.

Examine the strengths and weaknesses of the design argument.

Fifteen-Mark Questions

'The design argument proves the existence of God.'

Evaluate this claim.


'Paley's design argument proves the existence of God.'

Evaluate this claim.

⇦ Return to A-Level components


The Design Argument: Hume's Criticisms

Ten-Mark Questions

Examine Hume's criticisms of the design argument.

Fifteen-Mark Questions

‘The design argument fails to prove the existence of God.’

Evaluate this claim. (A-Level 2021)


‘Hume successfully shows that the design argument is false.’

Evaluate this claim.

⇦ Return to A-Level components


The Ontological Argument: Anselm's a priori argument

Ten-Mark Questions

Examine Anselm’s ontological argument for the existence of God. (A-Level 2024)

Examine an a priori argument for the existence of God.

Examine the strengths and weaknesses of the ontological argument.

Fifteen-Mark Questions

‘The ontological argument proves the existence of God.’

Evaluate this claim. (A-Level 2018)


'Anselm's ontological argument successfully proves the existence of God.'

Evaluate this claim.

⇦ Return to A-Level components


The Ontological Argument: Gaunilo's and Kant's Criticisms

Ten-Mark Questions

Examine Gaunilo's criticisms of the ontological argument.

Examine Kant's criticisms of the ontological argument.

Examine Gaunilo's and Kant's criticism of the ontological argument.

Fifteen-Mark Questions

‘Anselm’s argument for the existence of God has been disproved.’

Evaluate this claim. (A-Level 2024)


‘Gaunilo successfuly disproves the ontological argument.’

Evaluate this claim.


‘Kant successfuly disproves the ontological argument.’

Evaluate this claim.

⇦ Return to A-Level components


The Cosmological Argument: Aquinas' Argument from Contingency and Necessity

Ten-Mark Questions

Examine the approach of the cosmological argument to proving the existence of God. (A-Level 2025)

Examine the argument of Aquinas' Way 3.

Examine Aquinas' argument for God from contingency and necessity.

Examine an a posteriori argument for the existence of God.

Examine the strengths and weaknesses of the cosmological argument.

Fifteen-Mark Questions

'The cosmological argument proves the existence of God.'

Evaluate this claim.


'Aquinas' cosmological argument successfully proves the existence of God.'

Evaluate this claim.


'Aquinas' Way 3 successfully proves the existence of God'

Evaluate this claim.


'Aquinas' argument from contingency and necessity proves the existence of God.'

Evaluate this claim.

⇦ Return to A-Level components


The Cosmological Argument: Hume's and Russell's Criticisms

Ten-Mark Questions

Examine criticisms of the cosmological argument made by Hume and Russell. (A-Level 2020)

Examine Hume's criticisms of the cosmological argument.

Examine Russell's criticism of the cosmological argument.

Examine criticisms of the cosmological argument.

Fifteen-Mark Questions

‘The cosmological argument does not prove the existence of God.’

Evaluate this claim. (A-Level Specimen 2)


‘Hume successfully disproves the cosmological argument.’

Evaluate this claim.


‘Russell successfully disproves the cosmological argument.’

Evaluate this claim.


‘Hume's and Russell's criticisms of the cosmological argument show that it is wrong.’

Evaluate this claim.

⇦ Return to A-Level components