Premise (1) of the Ontological Argument

Question 1

Define Golden Mountain

Answer 1

‘x is a golden mountain’ = DF

(i) X is a mountain and
(ii) X is made entirely of gold

Question 2

(GM)

Answer 2

If it is possible that a golden mountain exists, then the golden mountain exists.

Question 3

Outline for Question 1

Answer 3

1. Define golden mountain
2. (GM)
3. The Golden Mountain Argument
4. Defense of (GM) Argument
5. God in possible worlds
6. (SGM)
7. Super Golden Mountain argument
8. Defense of (SGM) Argument
9. objection to (SGM) argument
10. Atheist’s dilemma

Question 4

The Golden Mountain Argument

Answer 4

(1) (GM) and premise (1) in the Ontological Arugment have the same truth value (they are either both true or both false)
(2) (GM) is false
(3) /:. So, premise (1) in the Ontological Argument is false

Question 5

Defense of (GM) Argument

Answer 5

Defense of (1)
- Parallel structure
Defense of (2)
- Just because it’s possible doesn’t mean it exists in our actual world

Question 6

Objection to the Golden Mountain Argument

Answer 6

Attacks premise (1) by referring to the divine attribute list:

1) Necessary existence appears as a constituent concept
2) All of the other constituent concepts were modified by the term “essentially”

Question 7

define Super Golden Mountain

Answer 7

‘x is a Super Golden Mountain’ = DF

(i) X is essentially a mountain
(ii) X is essentially made entirely of gold
(iii) X necessarily exists

Question 8

God in Possible worlds

Answer 8

Draw possible worlds and show what happens when God necessarily exists and has all of its features as essential ones.

Question 9

(SGM)

Answer 9

If it is possible that a Super Golden Mountain exists, then a super golden mountain exists.

Question 10

Super Golden Mountain Argument

Answer 10

Same as the Golden Mountain Argument, except with (SGM) instead of (GM)

Question 11

Defense of (SGM) Argument

Answer 11

Defense of (1)
- Parallel structure, now has essentially and necessarily
Defense of (2)
- Cannot be defended because of our change in definition

Question 12

Objection to Super Golden Mountain Argument

Answer 12

Because we used necessarily and essentially in our definition of (SGM), then premise (2) is false because if it’s possible, it necessarily exists.

For god and super golden mountains, they either necessarily or impossibly exist.

Question 13

Atheist’s dilemma

Answer 13

If you use (GM) first premise will be wrong, if you use (SGM) then premise two is wrong.