Anselm's argument

Question 1

Summarise Anselms first argument (5 main points)

Answer 1

The argument is a prayer to god
god can be defined as ‘the being than which no greater can be conceived’ (athiests accept this idea), this means that god exists in the mind of the fool but not in reality
Anselm example: the painter (or chocolate example- better in reality to eat it than to just think about eating it)
example shows existence in reality is greater than in mind (but this means something greater can be concieved)
so god must exist in mind and reality to be the greatest

Question 2

what is anselms second argument based on the idea of

Answer 2

LOGICAL NECESSITY

Question 3

summarise anselms second argument (6 main points)

Answer 3

1. it is possible to conceive of a being that which no greater can be conceived (namely god)
2. it is possible to conceive of of a being that must exist (a necessary being)
3. possible to conceive of a being that may not exist (contingent being)
4. a necessary being is greater than a contingent one
5. since god is ‘the being..conceived’ and a necessary being is greater than a contingent one god is a necessary being
6. so god must exist

Question 4

who is a critic of anselms 1st argument

Answer 4

gaunilo (BUT HE DIDNT DELIBRATELY WRITE THIS AS A CRITICISM OF SPECIFICALLY ANSELM AS THEY DIDN’T KNOW EACHOTHER)