Analysis Of Anselm's Ontological Argument
argumentative Essay
721 words
The ontological argument is a unique argument among arguments in that it appears to establish the real existence of some being. Gaunilo believed that one could use Anselm’s argument to show the existence of all kinds of non-existent things. Many other philosophers had different views about the argument as well. As it turns out there are two different versions of the ontological argument in the Prosologium. The second version does not rely on the highly problematic claim that existence is a property. One can think of the argument as being powered by two ideas. It is a conceptual truth that God is a being greater than which than is not possible. X exists or it is not the case that X exists. For all Y, if Y is the object of thought, then Y exists only in the mind, or Y exists in the mind as well as in reality. X is the object of thought. X exists only in the mind, or X exists in the mind as well as in reality. To exists in reality, as well as in the mind, is greater than to exist in the mind alone: to exist (in reality) is greater than to not exist (in reality). X does not exist; X exists only in the mind, but not in reality. Since …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the ontological argument is a unique argument among arguments in that it appears to establish the real existence of some being.
- Explains that god is a being greater than which is not possible. x exists on reality, and in the mind.
- Compares gaunilo's ‘lost island’ argument with anselm’s strategy to conclude the existence of a perfect island.
- Explains that anselm's second version of the ontological argument relies on two important claims.
- Analyzes how aquinas argued that not everyone who hears the word 'god' understands it to signify something than which nothing greater can be thought.
- Explains that if god exists as an idea in the mind but does not necessarily exist in reality, then we can imagine something that is greater than god. however, anselm's second version of the argument isn't very convincing.
As before, the argument includes a premise asserting that God is a being than which a greater cannot be conceived. But this version of the argument, unlike the first, does not rely on the claim that existence is a perfection, instead it relies on the claim that necessary existence is a perfection. This latter claim asserts that a being whose existence is necessary is greater than a being whose existence is not necessary. Otherwise put, then the second key claim is that a being whose non-existence is logically impossible is greater than a being whose non-existence is logically possible. By definition, God is a being than which none greater can be imagined. A being that necessarily exists in reality is greater than a being that does not necessarily
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- The Ontological Argument: Anselm And Descartesargumentative essayIntro Throughout this essay, a question will present itself as to if the ontological argument can be accepted. To accomplish the task at hand, we shall analyze; firstly, the ontological argument from both Anselm and Descartes. Secondly, we shall discuss the argument for the existence of Fido, and why it does and does not look reasonable (which will answer (i)). Afterwards, questions (ii) and (iii) will be answered, followed by a rejection of the ontological argument from Gaunilo, and then an argument in the defence of the ontological argument from the Internet.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the ontological argument from anselm and descartes, then discusses fido's existence, and why it does and does not look reasonable.
- Explains the first ontological argument for god's existence, which was proposed by anselm. beings can exist in the mind or in reality or both.
- Compares descartes' ontological argument for god's existence to that of anselm.
- Explains that the monotheist belief is that god is the greatest being, and therefore nothing can be greater than god.
- Analyzes how kant's critique of the ontological argument was a reason for the argument to be rejected.
- Explains that the ontological argument has been abandoned due to its critiques, the first of which came against anselm by a monk named gaunilo.
- Explains that while kant's criticism of the ontological argument is mostly accepted, there are still a few who have defended it.
- Concludes that the ontological argument should be rejected due to kant's critique and fido-ism, which contradicts itself.
- Explains that the proof laid out for the existence of fido is reasonable in a sense.
1260 wordsRead More - Anselm's Ontological Argument Analysisanalytical essayIn this paper I will argue that Anselm’s ontological argument, that God exists, does not work, because there is not a clear definition of what it really means to exist, and his overall statement is hopelessly vague. In Anselm’s Proslogion, Anselm discusses the key elements in his argument about why “God is which nothing greater can be thought” (Anselm, Proslogion,7). Anselm begins his ontological argument by insisting that one cannot imagine a God that is greater, and that even non-believers have some conception of the western God. Anselm argues that even though non- believers do not believe that God exist, they do have an understanding of God in their mind, so that means that God exist in reality. Anselm then concludes that since they have
In this essay, the author
- Argues that anselm's ontological argument, that god exists, does not work because there is not a clear definition of what it really means to exist.
- Concludes that anselm's argument that god exists does not work, because exist has many interpretations, and one of them is problematic for his beliefs.
482 wordsRead More - The Argument Of St Anselm's Argument For The Existence Of Godanalytical essayArguments against St. Anselm’s Ontological Argument for the Existence of God St. Anselm begins with a definition of God, argues that an existent God is superior to a non-existent God and concludes that God must exist in reality, for his non-existence would contradict the definition of God itself. The argument does not seem plausible to an unbiased person, even at the very first reading. It seems as if not all aspects of the question under scrutiny have been considered. The basic assumption, on which the entire argument stands, that God is a being than which none greater can be imagined can seem doubtful to a person who doubts the existence of God, for if one doubts that there is a being than which no greater can be conceived, then he may also be sceptical if any person has thoughts about the same being, whose existence itself is doubtful.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that st. anselm's ontological argument for the existence of god does not seem plausible to an unbiased person, even at the very first reading.
- Explains st. anselm's argument is based on the superiority of an existent god over a non-existent god. kant argues that existence should not count towards the perfection of any being, be it the greatest being.
- Argues that it is controversial whether existence is a general class that can be categorized into existence in the mind and exist in reality or if there are multiple levels of existence.
- Explains that if one considers the argument to be correct, one can prove either absurd conclusions or such which contradict the indisputable realities of everyday life. gaunilo of marmoutiers proved the existence or feasibility of building a tunnel through the centre of the earth.
- Argues that there is no strong reason to support the belief that the creation of this world is the most marvellous achievement anyone can have.
- Argues that the coherence of non-existence and creation has not been stressed out. it is difficult to imagine of a nonexistent being creating an existing entity.
- Explains that it is controversial whether the nature of a non-existent being's disabilities is the same as that of an existent
- Argues that the creation of a real universe contradicts oppy's premise of non-existent being, or leads to more controversial questions on the existence of the universe itself.
- Argues that if a non-existent being can have the most marvellous achievement of creating the universe, one is left with no reason to think that nonexistence is disability.
826 wordsRead More - Main Features Of The Ontological Argumentanalytical essayThe Ontological Argument is an argument that claims the existence of God through the meaning of words and the idea of logic. Ontological literally means ‘concerned with being’. The argument concludes that the definition of God ultimately infers his existence, and Anselm, who was the main proponent of the argument argued that the existence of God was logically necessary due to the definition of God – ‘that which nothing greater can be conceived’. The main proponents of this argument are Anselm, Descartes, Malcolm, and Platinga and the main opponents are Aquinas, Kant, and Gaunilo. When looking at the weaknesses of this argument, it becomes clear that this argument fails at proving the existence of God.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the ontological argument claims the existence of god through the meaning of words and the idea of logic. the main proponents of the argument are anselm, descartes, malcolm, and platinga.
- Explains the ontological argument's deductive nature. god exists both as an idea and in reality.
- Explains that the proof is deductive and the conclusion is the only conclusion that can be drawn from the premises. the argument is true by definition alone, and we do not need any other information to understand it.
- Explains that the ontological argument does not rely on empirical evidence to support its claims. the a priori nature of the argument makes it different from other arguments pertaining to the existence of god.
- Analyzes how anselm defines god as a necessary being, which does not rely on anything or anyone else for its existence. tyler and reid describe this concept as ‘integral’ to the ontological argument.
- Analyzes how descartes' version of the ontological argument is based on anselm's 2nd form and the concept of perfection.
- Explains descartes' argument that existence is an integral part of god's perfection, and so it cannot be separated from god. anselm places existence into the same category as goodness and love.
- Analyzes anselm's awareness that the existence of god is denied by atheists, and in response, he cites psalm 53; "the fool has said in his heart there is no god."
1026 wordsRead More - Essay On The Ontological Argumentanalytical essayHaving established the parameters for this essay, I will first assess the plausibility of Anselm’s version of the ontological argument. However, I will argue that this version of the ontological argument is ultimately foiled by both Gaunilo and Kant. This essay will then argue that the modal ontological argument is the most convincing before concluding that while it alone is not convincing, the fact that it merely requires the possibility of God’s existence rather than the actuality of it, means that it makes the existence of God far easier to accept.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that if god did exist in reality, then he would be greater than he is.
- Explains that it is conceivable that there be a being greater than god.
- Explains that it is conceivable that there be greater than the being than which nothing greater can be conceived.
- Analyzes how kant and mackie attack premise (4) by arguing that existence is not a predicate.
- Analyzes how anselm's ontological argument is viewed as a proof by contradiction — taking god to refer to his "being than which nothing greater can be conceived."
- Analyzes how guanilo responds to anselm by arguing that the above reasoning can be used to prove the existence of the most perfect possible island.
- Explains that the atheist can take issue with the unwritten premise that "god is the being than which none greater can be conceived".
- Argues that taking a modal antirealist stance is the only real option available to the atheist.
1514 wordsRead More - Anselm's Ontological Argument Essayanalytical essayIn Anselm’s Ontological Argument, he is trying to prove that God exists. He used two preconditions to prove this argument. The first precondition is the important idea of this argument, he said that because the greatest things not only exist in the mind, but it also exists in the reality. The second precondition is that there is nothing greater than God can be conceived. So the conclusion for this argument is that God exists. In this paper, I am going to critique the Anselm’s ontological arguments for God exists. I believe that his argument is based on concepts that he defined, and he used those concepts which he thought was true to prove that the God exists.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that anselm's ontological argument is based on concepts he defined and used those concepts to prove that god exists.
- Analyzes how anselm came up with the ontological argument in the book proslogium. he used the painter as an example to convince people.
- Explains that anselm first claimed that things can exist in the mind or both in mind and reality.
- Explains that anselm's precondition implies that things happened in both mind and reality are not always greater than things that only in mind.
- Opines that a painter will draw what he conceived, but it may not be the same as what they expect. there is no such thing as perfection.
- Analyzes how anselm uses the concept of "nothing greater can be conceived" as the precondition of proof.
- Analyzes how anselm used two concepts to prove god's existence, and did not make any comparison from one reality to another.
- Analyzes how anselm's proof is more like a mathematical analysis because he knows the answer before proving the existence of god.
- Concludes that anselm's ontological argument is based on the concept analyze instead of the fact or experience.
1521 wordsRead More - Essay On Anselm's Ontological Argumentanalytical essayAnselm supported the ontological argument because he wanted to clarify that God exists. Deductive and employing priori reasoning is what defines the ontological argument. It begins a statement that is understood to be correct merely be meaning and instituting a proper conclusion for that statement. By employing deductive reasoning it permits Anselm to display what the meaning means. In this paper I will argue that Anselm’s ontological argument does depend on Anselm’s confidential faith in God.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that anselm supported the ontological argument because he wanted to clarify that god exists.
- Analyzes how anselm used logic and reason to confirm his forceful faith and clarify god's existence.
- Analyzes the disparate side of the ontological argument, which centers on the nature of god than the meaning of him.
- Examines anselm's replies to disapprovals of his arguments by his associates, gaunilo, in his book shouted in behalf of the fool.
- Analyzes anselm's response to the criticism that parallel arguments such as the perfect island don't work because they are contingent, not vital and self-reliant.
- Analyzes how anselm states that god exists in the mind, even those who repudiate his existence, but he points out that it is larger to continue in reality and in mind.
- Argues that god is additionally vital, as well as existent in reality, because to contemplate or otherwise involves a contradiction.
- Argues that anselm's ontological argument is reliant on his confidential faith in god. the argument endeavors to change his faith into a kind of intellectual understanding.
861 wordsRead More - Ontological Argument Essayanalytical essayWhat Anselm also didn’t cover was the fact of God being a Personal God. When Anselm came up with the line of reasoning known as the Ontological Argument. His argument provides no place or a need for the perfect being to be personal. Which is a big deal being a christian, believing in Inc...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that anselm believed that if a being was perfect by definition, then it would not be perfect. the ontological argument is based on the idea that god must exist.
- Analyzes how anselm's ontological argument proves there needs to be an existent perfect being to have a perfect being, but there are several flaws in this argument.
- Explains that anselm didn't cover the fact of god being a personal god. kant pointed out that what this demonstrates is deism.
- Analyzes how anselm approaches his reasoning with the classic western teaching of divine simplicity. god is viewed as completely actual and has no unrealized potentialities.
- Concludes that the nature of the supreme being must avoid absurdity. love and justice that humans experience must function in the same was as being does in general.
- Analyzes how anselm got the source of these conceptions of perfect being from the concept of "divine exemplarism," a teaching form similar to platonic teachings.
- Explains how anselm knew that the human intellect's forms corresponded to a supreme being, which are no different from the created forms.
- Explains that the perfect conception of god is only that of understanding not in reality. if there is a perfect being, he must exist in real life.
- Concludes that the formulation of the argument from a metaphysical assumption and both philosophical and theological argument takes its false standpoint that builds up an entire edifice on assumptions that weren't questioned back in anselms' day.
796 wordsRead More - Existence Of God Essayanalytical essayThe first argument is the ‘Ontological Argument’. Unlike the other two claims, this one is not based on evidence. ‘The Design argument’ depends on the nature around us and ‘The Cosmological argument’ is based on scientific evidence, the cause and effect. However, the ontological argument by St. Anselm (1033-1109), which is described as non-experiential or a priori in character, states that if God exists then he should be perfect and it is an imperfection not to exist, therefore, since God is perfect He exists. St. Anselm said that “God is a being than that which nothing greater can be conceive...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that st. anselm's ontological argument, which is non-experiential or a priori in character, states that if god exists then he should be perfect and it is an imperfection not to exist.
- Analyzes kant's argument that existence isn't a property that something can either possess or lack. he argues that god and non-existence are qualitatively identical.
- Explains that st. thomas aquinas' argument is self-contradictory. it begins with the assumption that everything is caused by something before it and says god is the ultimate beginning.
- Analyzes hume's analogy that nothing can be created out of nothing, just like zero plus zero will always be zero, it will never equal one.
- Explains that the existence of god is a fundamental topic on which many philosophers have argued and there is no physical proof of his existence.
- Opines that the arguments are convincing when proving the existence of god even though they may have some weak points, but what matters is the faith people have.
1187 wordsRead More - A Philoshpical Approach to Proving the Existence of Godanalytical essayThe Ontological Argument, which argues from a definition of God’s being to his existence, is the first type of argument we are going to examine. Since this argument was founded by Saint Anslem, we will be examining his writings. Saint Anslem starts by defining God as an all-perfect being, or rather as a being containing all conceivable perfections. Now if in addition of possessing all conceivable perfections t...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the question of god's existence has been debated through the history of man, with philosophers from socrates to immanuel kant weighing in on the debate.
- Explains the difference between philosophy of religion and theology. revealed and natural theology use human reasoning to explain the divine.
- Explains the teleological argument, or the argument from design, which starts by saying that the universe exhibits some type of purpose or order, and draws the conclusion that a supreme, intelligent being must be responsible for this order.
- Analyzes how richard dawkin claims that the critics of evolution have misunderstood the concept of cumulative selection.
- Argues that kant's argument that existence is a characteristic is the same as the ontological.
- Analyzes how bertrand russell's critique of the argument does it the most damage. he believes that the contingency argument rests on a misconception of what an explanation is and does.
- Explains that emil fackenheim's views are derived from certain ideas of the jewish philosopher martin buber.
- Analyzes the ontological argument, which argues from a definition of god’s being to his existence.
- Analyzes how paley concludes the watch analogy with the assumption that no intelligent person would assume that the pieces were just a random combination of nature.
- Analyzes saint thomas aquinas' argument about the existence of the universe to god as its cause, creator, or explanation.
- Analyzes how locke tries to counter this by saying that anyone who denies the conclusion of an eternal being is committed to the absurdity that things came into existence from nothing
- Explains that critics of the causal argument are committed to the idea that no matter how far back one goes in a causal series one will never find something without beginning.
- Argues that biblical faith is empirically verifiable and nothing can refute it. fackenheim is misled by the ambiguity of certain statements, such as "destroy" and "test".
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