Philosophy - Ontological Argument

Question 1

Who is behind the ontological argument and what caused it?

Answer 1

ANSELM
He was a man of faith who had an experience of God that he tried to explain in his mind. “Faith seeking understanding”

Question 2

Where can the ontological argument be found and when was it from?

Answer 2

-ANSELM’S PRAYER BOOK: PROSLOGION
-11TH CENTURY

Question 3

What quote begins the ontolgical argument?

Answer 3

“God is something than which nothing greater can be conceived”

Question 4

What was Gaunilo’s response to the argument and what did he call it?

Answer 4

“On behalf of the fool”
You cannot just simply define something into existence. Island example.

Question 5

What was Anselm’s response to Gaunilo’s statement?

Answer 5

An island is contingent. God is a necessary being therefore cannot be compared.

Question 6

Define contingent +
necessary being

Answer 6

Contingent- goes in and out of existence. Lives and dies
Necessary being- infinitely existent, not limited by time

Question 7

What does Immanuel Kant add to the ontological argument?

Answer 7

He points out that existence is not a predicate (characteristic) of God.