Ontological argument

Question 1

What is Anselm’s first argument

Answer 1

God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived. If so, he must have the characteristic of existence in reality

Question 2

God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived.

Answer 2

This is plausible because it is true by definition. God has all the characteristics which make him the greatest being imaginable, omnipresent, benevolent, potent, transcendent. Proving that by definition God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived.

Question 3

If so, he must have the characteristic of existence in reality. This is plausible because….

Answer 3

it is better to exist than to not exist and if God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived it would be greater for God to exist than to not exist.

Question 4

What is Gaunilo’s objection to Anselm’s first argument.

Answer 4

Anselm thinks it is greater to exist than to not exist. If so, Anselm must think the greatest island must exist in reality

Question 5

Gaunilo:”Anselm thinks it is greater to exist than to not exist”. This is plausible because….

Answer 5

This is what he mainly uses to prove how the definition of God shows how he must exist.

Question 6

If so, Anselm must think the greatest island must exist in reality

Answer 6

This is plausible because according to Anselm’s logic it is better to exist than to not exist so it would also have to mean that it is better for the greatest island to exist than to not exist. Therefore the greatest imaginable island must exist with [examples here] must exist by definition which is absurd

Question 7

What is Plantinga’s reply to Anselm