The Ontological Argument

Question 1

What is the basis of the argument?

Answer 1

1. God is the greatest possible being which can be conceived
2. God may exist either in the mind alone (in intellectu) or in reality (in re)
3. Something which exists in reality and in the mind is greater than something that exists as an idea in the mind alone
4. Therefore, God must exist in reality and the mind

Question 2

What is Anselm’s explanation?

Answer 2

It is better to exist in reality than the mind alone

Question 3

What does Anselm think about God’s existence?

Answer 3

He claimed existence is a predicate of God
God being the greatest possible being must exist, since an idea in the mind is not as great as an idea that exists in reality
To be the greatest possible being, God must have the property of existence