Arguments for the existence of God: the Ontological Argument

Question 1

a priori

Answer 1

An argument relying on logic, not observation or sense experience.

Question 2

Anselm’s argument is a priori

Answer 2

This type of argument is prior to and independent of sense experience.
It is non-empirical.
It relies on logic.

Question 3

Deductive

Answer 3

An argument aiming to give absolute proof. If the premises are true, then the conclusion must be true.

Question 4

Anselm’s argument is deductive

Answer 4

This type of argument aims to give certain proof.
If the premises are true, then the conclusion must be true.
A set of premises is a set of propositions on which an argument is based or from which a conclusion might be drawn.
E.g. P1, P2, C

Question 5

Analytic statements

Answer 5

Based on logic and true by definition.

Question 6

Anselm’s argument has analytic statements

Answer 6

These are based on logic.

They are true by definition-e.g. a bachelor is an unmarried male.

Question 7

Subject and Predicate

Answer 7

Features of complete sentences: the subject refers to who/ what the subject is about and the predicate gives information about the subject.

Question 8

Anselm’s argument is subject and predicate

Answer 8

The subject refers to who/what the sentence is about.
The predicate gives information about the subject.
Complete sentences contain these.

Question 9

Necessary truths

Answer 9

Statements that could not possibly be false.

Question 10

Anselm’s argument has necessary truths

Answer 10

Relate to statements that could not possibly be false.

Question 11

Necessary things

Answer 11

Things that can not possibly fail to exist.

Question 12

Anselm’s argument has necessary things

Answer 12

Are things that cannot possibly fail to exist- for example, the laws of mathematics.

Question 13

Anselm’s ontological argument

Answer 13

The 11th century argument is based on Anselm’s definition of God, and God’s existence can be deduced from the definition.
The proposition “God exists” is a priori and deductive. It contains the predicate “exists” in relation to the subject “God” so God must exist. It is a necessary truth.
Anselm’s argument falls into two parts: Proslogium 2 and 3.

Question 14

Proslogium 2

Answer 14

God is “that than which nothing greater can be conceived” that is, a being that possess all conceivable qualities to the absolute and ultimate degree.
Quoting from Psalm 14:1, Anselm’s showed how even the fool understood the concept of God.
There is a difference between having a concept in the mind and knowing that it exists in reality. This would then be greater than God.
So God cannot exist in the mind.
Therefore, God exists in both mind and reality.
This showed that the fool in Psalm 14 was indeed a fool.