Ontological Argument for God's Existence

Question 1

Analytic/synthetic statements:

Answer 1

Analytic - A statement that it is impossible to think is false, like a triangle having 3 sides
Synthetic - a statement that could be true, but needs external verification to know that for a fact, e.g. it’s raining

Question 2

Basic Anselm’s ontological argument:

Answer 2

1. We can think of something that nothing greater can be thought of
2. Something existing in the mind is inferior to one in reality
3. Therefore the something that nothing greater can be thought of exists in mind And reality
4. So it does.

Question 3

What does Anselm’s ontological argument depend on:

Answer 3

That God is the something that nothing greater can be thought of

Question 4

Second Anselm’s ontological argument:

Answer 4

1. We can think of something that undoubtedly exists
2. Something that can have its existence doubted is inferior to one that undoubtedly exists
3. Therefore the something that nothing greater can be thought of exists undoubtedly
4. So it does.

Question 5

Gaunilo’s criticism:

Answer 5

1. You can imagine stuff that doesn’t exist, and even believe it
2. You can’t define something into existence
3. The perfect island - you can imagine a perfect island, but that doesn’t make it real

Question 6

Anselm’s criticism of Gaunilo’s criticism:

Answer 6

An island is finite and limited, whereas God is not. Plantinga added that there’s no limits on an island, no intrinsic maximum, so it’s incoherent as an idea.

Question 7

Aquinas’ criticism:

Answer 7

The existence of God can’t be self-evident because we can’t comprehend God, so saying he exists is beyond our understanding - we can only understand him indirectly through the world

Question 8

Boethius:

Answer 8

Some say Anselm was influenced by Boethius, who wrote a similar argument - God is good, and we can’t think of anything more good. If he wasn’t perfectly good, there would be a better thing that came before, which would then be God, and so on until infinity or an end, perfect good, which is God, and we can’t have infinity.

Question 9

Descartes’ ontological argument:

Answer 9

Dw too much, not strictly necessary but useful

1. God is perfect, because otherwise he wouldn’t be God
2. A property of perfection is existence
3. So God exists

Question 10

Kant’s criticisms:

Answer 10

Technically to Descartes’ version

1. Saying that God doesn’t exist isn’t a contradiction - a denial isn’t self-contradictory like saying a dwarf is tall is
2. Existence isn’t a predicate, because it doesn’t tell you what something is like, it adds nothing to the concept -£3 has no more coins than an imaginary £3

Question 11

Criticisms of Kant’s criticisms:

Answer 11

Existence can be a predicate - evidence that something exists adds something to the idea - it changes the way we conceive of it