Ontological Argument Flashcards
What is this argument?
This argument attempts to argue that god exists without reference to sensory experience
A priori argument - the very definition of god entails his existence
What is the difference between synthetic and analytical statements?
Synthetic- the part of a sentence or clause containing a verb and stating something about the subject are not a part of the subject itself
Analytical- it is part of the subject itself
Eg- analytical- self evident
Synthetic-require reason
What is st anslems ontological argument?
(Keen on using reason)
He wrote from a position of faith, believing that it gave one certainty to gods existence - given gift of illumination and understanding
What is Vardys analogy?
‘An envelope containing a thousand poihnds would be greater if it existed in my pocket rather than in my imagination, as god is defined as that then which no greater can be concieved , he must exist both in reality and in mind’
What is existence is a part of gods nature?
Denying his existence would be illogical
Existence in reality is greater than existence in mind
What is Gaunilos criticism?
‘I have an idea of the most beautiful and perfect island, more perfect than which cannot be concieved. If it is truly perfect, then it must include existence, as an existing island would be more perfect than a mere idea of an island. There fore this island must exist’
-making anslems argument out to be absurd
What did anslem reply to Gaunilos criticism ?
Gaunilo refereed to an ins land which has a lot of finite properties such a minerals, but it is always possible to consider one with more. It was gods infinite nature that made him unique and immune to this
Gaunilos criticism again
There is a difference between understanding that something is and understanding WHAT that is. For anslem they are the same.
He also argued that humans can only grasp finite arguments
What was David humes argument?
Whatever can be thought of as existing is also able to be thought of as not existing
What was Descartes argument?
If we can think of a perfect being it must exist - perfection is different for everyone
Like a triangle- a god who does not exist is not a god, a triangle without theee sides and three angles ISNT a triangle.
What is kants criticism of Descartes argument?
You can conceive something without possessing. You can conceive of god but that doesn’t mean he exists
What is mackies critisism of descartes?
‘God is omnipotent is a necessary judgement: we cannot posit god and reject the omnipotence and any other predicates are rejected along with the subject so that there can be no contradiction’
What does Kant conclude?
He concludes that it is legitimate to simply reject the subject with all attributes so no contradiction occurs, the ontological argument in form is assuming as part of its proof which it seeks to prove which is unfair
