1.4 Ontological Argument

Question 1

Boethius’ categories of being

Answer 1

Possible to be (contingent)
Possible not to be (contingent)
Not possible to be (impossible)
Not possible not to be (necessary)

Question 2

Descartes’ ontological argument

Answer 2

The human soul innately knows God.
God is the ‘supremely perfect being’ and therefore has perfection of all qualities.
Existence is a ‘defining predicate’ of God (e.g. of triangle)

Question 3

Malcolm’s ontological argument

Answer 3

Either God does or does not exist - his existence is either necessary or impossible.
It is only impossible if the concept of God is self-contradictory
It is not self-contradictory, therefore God is necessary

Question 4

Gaunilo (gossip)

Answer 4

A fool may have heard about God and have this in his head, but this doesn’t mean it is the correct definition or that it entails God’s existence.

Question 5

Anselm’s responses to Gaunilo

Answer 5

An island is contingent; God is necessary
A perfect island is undefinable as it is subjective.
It is impossible for a fool to ‘think in his heart that there is not a God.’
Any rational mind would find truth in his argument.

Question 6

Aquinas’ criticisms of Anselm

Answer 6

Statements are self-evident either in and of themselves or to us.
The nature of God is almost entirely unknown to us as humans, as it is limited by human knowledge and language.

Question 7

Ahmad Arif

Answer 7

Argues it is possible for necessary things to not exist.

Question 8

Hume

Answer 8

“Existence can only be contingent.”