Ontological Argument from Anselm

Question 1

What is the definition of an ontological argument?

Answer 1

The study of being/the nature of God

Question 2

What kind of argument is the ontological argument?

Answer 2

A priori (logically necessary), deductive (the premises contain the only possible conclusion) and analytic (true by definition alone)

Question 3

What form is Anselm’s argument written in?

Answer 3

Proslogian - a prayer to God

Question 4

Who was Anselm influenced by?

Answer 4

Plato, and he therefore thought reason was really important to faith

Question 5

What did Anselm’s argument begin with?

Answer 5

He says (according to the Bible) “The fool (atheist) has said in his heart “there is no God”.

Question 6

What is the definition of God?

Answer 6

“The Being than which no greater can be conceived” (greatest conceivable being). Even the fool in psalm 14 would accept that definition of God

Question 7

How does God exist for the fool?

Answer 7

In the mind but not in reality

Question 8

What is the first form of Anselm’s argument?

Answer 8

God is the greatest conceivable being, but things are greater when they actually exist in reality (in re) than just in the mind (in intellectu). Therefore God (being the greatest conceivable being) must exist in re also otherwise something greater may be conceived.

Question 9

What is the example Anselm gives with his first form of argument?

Answer 9

A painter conceives a painting in his mind (in intellectu) but the greater is the final completed piece which actually exists (in re).

Question 10

What is Anselm’s second form of argument?

Answer 10

A necessary being is greater than a contingent being since a contingent being depends on something else for its existence and can therefore be thought of as not existing. God as ‘that than which nothing greater can be conceived’ must therefore be necessary and as such must exist. (Logical necessity)

Question 11

What does Anselm say about the atheist?

Answer 11

The atheist only fails to believe because he hasn’t considered the true definition of God. Once this is established then he cannot fail to concede that God exists

Question 12

What is the definition of analytic?

Answer 12

True by definition alone

Question 13

What is the definition of deductive?

Answer 13

The premises contain the only possible conclusion

Question 14

What is the definition of a priori?

Answer 14

Logically necessary

Question 15

What was Gaunilo’s book called?

Answer 15

On behalf of the fool

Question 16

What did Gaunilo do?

Answer 16

Criticised Anselm with his ‘Greatest conceivable island analogy’

Question 17

What does Gaunilo illustrate?

Answer 17

The absurdity of Anselm’s argument

Question 18

How does Gaunilo criticise?

Answer 18

He uses the Greatest Conceivable Island which must exist because things in re are better than things in intellectu. Gaunilo said you would be a fool to believe that.

Question 19

How could Anselm respond to Gaunilo?

Answer 19

Anselm is not talking about contingent beings, and an island is contingent because it is always changing and can be bettered. Anselm is talking about necessary beings

Question 20

What does Platinga say to support Anselm?

Answer 20

An island has no intrinsic maxim because it can always be improved, but God does have an intrinsic maxim because he is the greatest conceivable being and cannot be any greater