Arguments Based From Reason

Question 1

ANSELM’S FIRST ARGUMENT

‘faith-seeking understanding’

Answer 1

1. God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived.
2. It is greater to exist both in the mind and in reality.
   (A real, existent god is greater than an imaginary one)
3. Therefore, god must exist.

Question 2

ANSELM’S SECOND ARGUMENT

necessity of God’s existence

Answer 2

1. Beings with necessary existence are greater than beings with contingent existence.
2. A god which ‘might not exist’ is inferior to a god which ‘must exist’.
3. Therefore, god must exist necessarily

Question 3

DESCARTES’ SPB

Answer 3

God = a supremely, perfect being.
A ‘perfection’ which this being must have is existence.
So, in order to be this supremely, perfect being, god must have necessary existence.

Question 4

CRITICISM OF ANSELM

GAUNILO’S LOST ISLAND

Answer 4

Flawed logic in Anselm’s thinking.
I can imagine a perfect island in my mind.
To be truly perfect, the island must also exist in reality.
But, we know there is no such island- we have just thought to it.
So we cannot simply imagine it into existence.

Question 5

ANSELM’S RESPONSE

TO GAUNILO’S ‘IN BEHALF OF THE FOOL’

Answer 5

The logic of the lost island is absurd- agreed.
But the existence of God is unique and different from all other types of existence.
God’s existence in necessary, not contingent.
The OA (and its logic) can only be applied to God

Question 6

AQUINAS’ CRITICISM OF ANSELM

Answer 6

It is possible to have a mental concept of a non-existent god.
Aquinas agrees on Anselm’s definition of God, but believes that it is impossible to to base a ‘a priori’ argument on a definition.
We cannot be certain of what god is/ is not- he is essentially wholly different.