God's existence from reason - ontological Flashcards
What is the ontological argument?
the argument that God, being defined as most great or perfect, must exist, since a God who exists is greater than a God who does not. Proved by definition not observation.
Who conducted the most famous version of the ontological argument?
St Anselm in chapters 2-4 of Proslogion
How does the first form of the ontological argument folllow? (4)
1) God is that than which nothing greater can be concieved (ABC)
2) Even the atheist has this understanding of the definition
3) If he only has it in his mind (understanding) then something greater must exist in reality and the mind (it is greater to exist in both)
4) By definition ABC, God must exist in both the mind and reality
Summarise why the first form of the ontological argument is compelling
it makes it self-contradictory to be capable of concieving something that nothing greater can be thought, and at the same time to deny that something really exists.
What is the second form of Anselm’s ontological argument (5)
1) God is that than which nothing greater can be concieved (ABC)
2) it is greater to be a necessary being than a contingent being
3) If God exists only contingently, you could imagine a greater being who exists necessarily
4) If God is ABC then that being has to be God
5) God must be a necessary being who exists in reality
What form was Gaunilo’s counter to Anselm?
Reductio ad absurdum - disproving an argument by showing its absurdity
What is Gaunilo’s Lost Island argument? (4)
1) Imagine the most excellent of all islands
2) You can form an idea of this island in your mind
3) To Anselm’s logic, this island must exist in reality
4) This is absurd, and so is Anselm’s argument
Kant’s counter to the ontological argument
- Existence is not a real predicate as it provides no greater understanding of the object (100 thalers example)
- If God exists he must be necessary, but only if. Definitions tell only of what He would be like not if he is.
Gaunilo’s criticisms: Understanding is not accepting
Understanding the definition of God does not mean one ghas to accept his existence.
For example, you can understand what a unicorn is without accepting they exist.
Gaunilo’s criticisms: Difference between initial and final products
Anselm justifies the first formulation by saying a painting is better in reality than the mind.
To Gaunilo there is a distingt difference between the first and last product.
Gaunilo’s criticisms: Gossip 1
Our knowledge of God in the mind is inaccurate. One can hear gossip of a man and picture him without having experienced him before because they have experienced men. We have no point of reference for God.
Specification of Ontological
Anselm
Gaunilo’s criticisms
Kant’s criticisms
What is a predicate
a description that tells us something new about the subject, it is an attribute/essence of the thing
what do ontological supporters claim is a predicate of God
Existing
Synthetic predicate
demonstrated by experience (the jumper is red)
analytic predicate
(predicate CONTAINED in the definition)
demonstrated by reason (a bachelor is an unmarried man, God exists)
what do critics of ontological (like Kant) say on statements about existence
they must be synthetic as they provide additional information about the subject.
God Exists can only be proven a posteriori
from what position did Anselm write his argument (wrote to other Christians in form of a prayer)
‘faith seeking understanding’
NOT TO PROVE GOD BUT TO RATIONALISE FAITH