existence of god-reason Flashcards
what type of argument is used in this?
a priori
Anselm’s definition of God
that than which nothing greater can be conceived
What does Anselm call people who don’t believe in God
fools
the fool says in his heart there is no God
Anselm’s analogy to show things that exist are greater than those in the mind (1st formulation)
painter who has an idea of a painting but it is greater once it has been painted because it now also exists in reality
Do atheists and theists have a common understanding about the definition of God?(1st formulation)
Yes, universal understanding of God- even if don’t accept that he exists
What is Anselm’s final conclusion (1st formulation)
it is greater to exist in reality than mind alone and God is ‘than that which nothing greater can be conceived’ so God must exist in reality
Anselm’s ontological argument justifies belief in God
-agreement with definition of God
-a priori-senses deceive
-valid reasoning that things existing in reality are greater than mind
-contradiction to say he doesn’t exist as he is that than which nothing greater can be conceived
Anselm’s ontological argument doesn’t justify belief in God
-hard to come up with definition of God- have no knowledge and he isn’t physical
-a posteriori at least use evidence
-things can be better in mind- flying carpets
How does Gaunilo criticise Anselm’s logic of things existing in the mind and therefore reality
is possible to imagine something that does not exist
island analogy
What does Gaunilo accuse Anselm of doing
defining things into existence
e.g.unicorn
How does Gaunilo criticise Anselm’s use of reason alone?
can’t claim to understand God
What does Russel suggest is a measure of meaningful existence?
if the existence refers to an ‘instance’
e.g. we see an instance of cows but not of unicorns
How does Anselm respond to Gaunilo’s criticisms?
God- necessary being
Island- contingent
greater to be a necessary being, God is greatest conceivable thing, God is a necessary being and because of this he must exist
How does Platinga support Anselm?
an island has no intrinsic maxim-can always be improved(more trees)
God has an intrinsic maxim-greatest conceivable- so he exists
What does Kant argue all statements about existence must be?
synthetic- need to go outside of a concept and find external evidence
What example does kant use for synthetic statements?
Logically necessary for triangle to have 3 sides
however…
it isn’t necessary for it to exist in reality
therefore not a contradiction to reject concept of (God/triangle)
Why does Kant say ontological arguments are invalid?
existence is not a real predicate
What example does he give of existence not being a predicate?
100 real thalers is same amount as 100 possible thalers- concept is same whether real or not
How can you challenge Kant’s argument about existence not being a predicate?
Anselm’s reply to Gaunilo-existence is a predicate as we are attributing existence in divine terms to God- perfect existence
Who else supports existence as a predicate?
Norman Malcolm-contingent existence is different to necessary existence
- necessary existence does add info
What is Descarte’s definition of God?
a supremely perfect being who contains supremely perfect characteristics
what is one of God’s essential characteristics according to Descartes?
existence
2 examples from Descartes and how they relate to God
a triangle must have 3 sides- without this it isn’t a triangle
can’t separate idea of a mountain from a valley
like…
existence can’t be separated from god as it is part of the essence of god
logical fallacies for arguments for existence of God
making assumptions:
-their definitions of god would be universally accepted?
-God is a special case, greatest possible being, necessary, perfect
-existence is a predicate
