1.2 Ontological argument Flashcards
What does the term ‘ontological’ come from?
Greek term ‘ontos’ meaning existence/being
What kind of argument is the OA?
Deductive
What kind of statements does the OA use?
Analytical
What kind of knowledge does the OA use?
A priori
Main scholar of OA?
St Anselm
Anselm’s main work?
Proslogium
Anselm’s definition of God
“God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived”
What is Psalms 14:1
“The fools says in his heart there is no God”
Anselm’s first argument (premise, premise, conclusion)
P1: God is that than which nothing can be conceived
P2: it is greater to exist in reality than just in the mind
Conclusion: God as the greatest conceivable being must exist in the mind and in reality
Who are the 2 main critics of the OA?
Kant and Guanilo
Summarise the lost island analogy (premise, premise, conclusion)
P1: it is possible to conceive of the most perfect and lost island
P2: it is greater to exist in reality than just in the mind
Conclusion: The most perfect and real lost island must exist in reality
What is reductio ad absurdum
Argument from absurdity
What is Anselm’s criticism of the island analogy?
An island is contingent and God is necessary
Summarise Anselm’s second argument (premise, premise, conclusion)
P1: God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived
P2: the greatest conceivable being cannot be conceived not to exist
Conclusion: God and God alone has necessary existence
According to Anselm why must God exist?
Because it is in his nature
Define necessary existence
A being which cannot fail to exist
Define contingent existence
Something whcih relies on something else to exist
Who was Gaunilo?
A benedictian monk who criticised Anselm’s argument
What was Gaunilo’s criticism called?
‘On behalf of the fool’
What is Gaunilo’s argument on gossip as a way of criticising Anselm?
Gossip is unreliable and just because you have it in the mind does not mean it is true in reality
What is Gaunilo’s argument on not being able to define things into existence as a way of criticising Anselm?
You cannot demonstrate the existence of something just by having an idea about it
What is Gaunilo’s island analogy as a way of criticising Anselm?
anyone can think of a most perfect paradise island but this does not mean it exists in reality
How did Anselm respond to Gaunilo?
By claiming that God’s existence is necessary as God is a necessary being
Explain this strength of the OA: it is deductive
if it succeeds it provides 100% proof of the existence of God
Explain this strength of the OA: it supports faith
God as TTWNGCBC supports traditional beliefs about God
What are Kant’s two criticisms of the OA
- Existence is not a predicate
- God is not a necessary being
Explain Kant’s criticism: existence is not a predicate
‘existence’ does not add anything to the concept of a thing
What example did Kant use to highlight existence is not a predicate?
Thalers = round, bronze currency used in Kant’s time
Explain Kant’s criticism: God is not a necessary being
God exists necessarily can be a true statement but it does not mean God exists in reality
How can the OA have value for religious faith?
It helps believers understand the nature of God
How can the OA not have value for religious faith? Hint: Kierkegaard
Belief in God is not based on any proof - you must take a leap of faith
