Ontological argument Flashcards
What type of argument is it?
Deductive - if the premise true than the conclusion likey to be true.
Anselm’s definition of God.
“the best possible being we can imagine”
2 ways in which something can exist accoridng to Anselm
- Only in our minds (unicorns)
- Can Imagine it and it exists in reality (Pizza)
The fool qutoe
the fool says in his heart “There is no God”
Anselm’s first form
P1- God is that which nothing can be concieved.
P2- It is better for God to exist in reality than soley in the mind
C- Therfore god exists
Gaunilo’s Critisms
Reductio ad. Absurdum - Can apply this to anything but doesnt mean it exists (island)
Anslem’s Response to Gaunilo
His argument only works for necessary beings - GOD, An island is contingent
Descartes definition (support)
The supremely perfect being
therfore he posesses all perfect predicate (omni…)
thefore he must posess existence.
Kant’s rejection.
He rejects existance as a predicate
What is a predicate?
something that is part of a subjects defintion that adds something to the subject.
Kants rejection link to parable
“Parable of the invisible gardener”
Strength
It has certainty as a deductive argument
Weakness :Kant
Cannot define God into existence
Weakness: SUBJECTIVITY
Argument only works if you accept Anselms defintion of god - Link with Language games
otherwise it is meaningless
Faith
Strength
Used as an expression of faith
