Teleological Arguments

Question 1

Deductive

Answer 1

conclusion is the only possible logical conclusion

Question 2

Ontological Argument (St Anselm)

Answer 2

God is greater than anything, it is greater to exist in both understanding and reality, God is the greatest possible being, therefore God must exist in both the mind and reality

Question 3

Ontological Argument (Descartes)

Answer 3

existence is a supreme perfection, God is a supremely perfect being, therefore God must exist

Question 4

Ontological Argument - Kant’s First Criticism

Answer 4

certain predicates are inseparable from their subjects but it is possible to deny the existence of both the subject and predicate together - just because a unicorn has a horn doesn’t mean it exists, if they do exist, they have horns

Question 5

Ontological Arguments - Kant’s Second Criticism

Answer 5

existence is not a property of anything. ‘Exists’ does not add anything new to our concept and so is not a genuine predicate - does not change our description in any way

Question 6

Challenges to the Ontological Argument

Answer 6

the idea of something that can exist outside of our mind just because it is the greatest thing is nonsense - perfect island analogy