The Existence of God: arguments based on reason Flashcards
What was St Anselm’s ontological argument (title given by Kant) ?
A priori argument for the existence of God from his definition, does not depend on sense experience
True understanding as a consequence of faith
What was Anselm’s motto - the ontological argument
Credo ut Intelligam - I believe so that I may understand
Clarity and understanding is a consequence of belief
What is the purpose of Proslogion chapter 2
proves the existence of God
What does Anslem define God as ?
something than which nothing greater can be thought
What is Anselm’s reference to the fool?
Anselm refers to the “fool” from Psalm 14:1:
“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”
But Anselm says: even the fool understands the idea of “God” (as the greatest being). So, by understanding the concept, the fool unintentionally acknowledges God’s existence in the mind—meaning God at least exists in thought.
From there, Anselm argues: well, if God exists in the mind, He must exist in reality too—otherwise He wouldn’t be the greatest conceivable being.
Explain the difference between existing in the mind and in reality
A painter can imagine a painting before actually painting it. It exists in their mind before it exists in reality.
Anselm argues that existing in reality is greater than existing only in the mind.
So if God exists only in the mind, then we could imagine something greater—that is, a God that exists in reality.
But that would contradict our definition of God as “the greatest conceivable being.”
Therefore, God must exist in reality, not just in the mind.
What is the key idea of Proslogion Chapter 3
God as a neccesary being
It is impossible for him to be thought to not exist, created other necessary beings e.g. the sun
Humans are contigent beings
What are Boethius’ four categories for everything?
- possible to be
- possible not to be
- not possible to be
- not possible to not be - God
Gaunilo’s criticism against Anselm’s ontological argument
- wishful thinking, suggests that anything could be bought into existence, flawed
Asks us to imagine the most perfect island
We can conceive of the most perfect island.
It is greater to exist in reality than just in the mind.
Therefore, the most perfect island must exist, or else it wouldn’t be the most perfect.
Ridiculous - imagining a perfect island doesnt make it real
How does Anselm respond to Gaunilo’s criticism?
Island is contingent depends on things like sea and earth
God is a necessary being, applies to him only
A perfect island is subjective
What reason does Anslem give for the fool saying in his heart there is no God?
The concept of God not only has to be thought of, but understood
We can say words, but that does not mean we understand them or they make sense
The Fool - Understands the idea of God, but doesn’t believe He exists
Reason for denial - He fails to see that the concept of God requires existence
Anselm’s goal- Show that even the fool unintentionally acknowledges God’s existence by understanding the idea of God
Can existence be treated as a predicate ?
“Existence is not a property you can simply build in to a definition.” - Kant
Anselm and Descartes treat existence as though it is a property of perfection that God must have
The impact of this through Kant’s criticisms undermines the ontological argument - flaw to perceive existence as a feature of perfection
Pros and cons for a priori arguments
- precise and promise certainty if God can be proved by definition
BUT
can we define God in the same way we can a triangle
can we argue for something unknown to something knowable
John Cottinghams persepctive of the ontological argument
argument only makes sense within the context of faith - aligns with St Anselm’s Credo ut intelligam - faith and seeking understanding
- God transcends human conception
