The Ontological Argument: Anselm And Descartes
argumentative Essay
1260 words
Intro 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. However, due to the time constraint I will not discuss in depth if the ontological argument can be modified, but rather I will state that any modification made would contradict and prove itself false. In the end, I will conclude by demonstrating as to why the ontological argument cannot be accepted.
The Ontological Argument from Anselm The first Ontological Argument for God’s existence, was first proposed by Anselm, the first premise of the argument is that there cannot be something greater than God which can be conceived. The second premise is that beings can exist in the mind or in reality or in both, in addition, beings that exist in the mind and reality are greater than beings that only exist in the mind, which also happens to be the third premise of the argument. In the fourth
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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.
The first of which came against Anselm by a monk named Gaunilo. Gaunilo argued that it was possible to construct an argument with the same concepts of the ontological argument. To prove this he used the existence of the perfect island, for there could not be a greater island since this was perfect, therefore, existence had to be of these perfections due to existing being greater than not existing. According to Gaunilo, the argument must work if the ontological argument works, but is clear that Gaunilo’s argument was just a mockery of Anselm’s
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- Analysis Of Anselm's Ontological Argumentargumentative essayThe 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.
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.
721 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 - 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 - Descartesian Epistemology Essayanalytical essayDescartes was born 1596 in France. At eight years old he was already in college. Descartes was a scientist and was also known as the father of modern Western Philosophy. He is famous for his book “The mediations of philosophy,” first published in 1641. He is much like me because he refused to stem off other philosophers thought. Instead, he created his philosophy. He is most famous for his quote “I think therefore I am.” This paper will include Descartes doubt, Descartes the cogito, his knowledge of the material world. The principles of the Cartesian epistemology. The “light of nature.”
In this essay, the author
- Explains that descartes was born 1596 in france and was the father of modern western philosophy. he is famous for his book "the mediations of philosophy."
- Analyzes how descartes epistemology is sensible because he doesn't start his study with the study of the nature of reality, like milesians.
- Analyzes how descartes argues that even the evil genius cannot deceive him or his existence.
- Analyzes how descartes contradicts himself when talking about the knowledge of the material world and god in one. he expresses that we have no reason to believe that all bodies exist exactly as i perceive them by sense.
- Explains descartes' concept of knowledge in conception to doubt. it is based on a person's conscious state of mind, beliefs, desires, and sensory states.
- Explains that descartes believed that the latter principle results from a blind impulse. it is revealed to him by the light of nature which cannot be doubted in any way.
1226 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".
4011 wordsRead More - Argument Essay On Ontological Argumentanalytical essayThe ontological argument has its major foundations on the words of Desecrates that are clearly spelt out in the Fifth Meditation. The Ontological argument claims that given the fact that it is probable for an individual to derive from his thoughts of something, it follows that the individual has the ability to dictate the characteristics that that certain thing adopts. Following this line of thought, Descartes pointed out that he found in his mind the concept of God, of an almighty perfect being, it naturally follows that in the real sense he has his belonging to the nature of this God (Barnes 23).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the ontological argument has its major foundations on the words of desecrates that are clearly spelled out in the fifth meditation.
- Analyzes how descartes' ontological argument differs from st. anselm's model for the majority of conventional deductions. the core of god is confined in the idea of existence.
- Analyzes how descartes' ontological argument focuses on existence in relation to the perfection of god. he claims that any idea that an individual has on god must reflect this need.
- Explains that descartes depicts necessary existence as an ontological requirement or perpetual as well as the unconditioned existence.
- Analyzes how descartes' variation between dependent and important features is significant because he refers to either dependent or necessary being instead of simply referring to plain existence.
- Explains that the ontological argument has received a fair share of objections over time. gaunilo marmoutier argued that there must be something wrong with it.
- Explains that if the ontological argument is functional, then the argument for the existence of the ideal island is also functional.
- Explains that gaunilo's claim of an ideal island is unrealistic because it is a perfect island with numerous palm trees and exotic beaches.
- Explains that kant's objection to the ontological argument is based on the belief that the existent god is greater than the one that is non-existent.
- Opines that the objection presented by kant nullifies the ontological argument on the existence of god.
1014 wordsRead More - Ontological Argument Essayanalytical essayIn the mind of Anselm he had noticed that there needs to be something that follows from all of this: if a being is perfect by definition, then that being must exist. Anselm believed that if a perfect being did not exist, then it would not be perfect. In which it would be impossible for God not to exist, for if He did not exist, there would be no definition of a perfect being. God is a “necessary being.” The example of you and I as perfect beings is not conceivable because we are not necessary beings, in our past if there were any change, then we would not exist. God is however different, He had to exist. This entire concept is known as the Ontological Argument.
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 - The Argument Of René Descartes Meditations On First Philosophyanalytical essayIn his Meditations on First Philosophy, René Descartes seeks to prove that corporeal objects exist. This argument is put forth based on the principles and supposed facts he has built up throughout the Meditations. In order to fully understand his argument for the existence of corporeal things, one must trace his earlier arguments for effects and their causes, the existence of God, the nature of God, and his ability to never make mistakes.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that rené descartes seeks to prove that corporeal objects exist based on the principles and supposed facts he has built up throughout the meditations.
- Explains that descartes sought to establish truths in the world that would never be proven false through his meditations. he began by doubting everything and gradually worked his way through overcoming doubt with certainty to contribute and make more efficient the scientific community.
- Analyzes how descartes determines early on that he exists; if the thoughts are not his own and something else is making him think thoughts that aren't his thoughts, then that entity must exist.
- Analyzes how descartes points out that when something appears for no apparent reason, it is because one does not fully understand the situation and therefore cannot comprehend its cause.
- Explains that descartes uses this cause-effect relationship to explain and prove the existence of god. he notes that he has an understanding of what god is like.
- Explains that descartes' idea of god did not come from himself, since his original ideas are formations of what he perceives. nothing resembles or even comes close to something infinitesimally perfect as god.
- Explains that descartes' idea must have come from an outside source. the higher being had the qualities of god to have thought of scuh a thing to put into his mind.
- Explains that descartes believes that god is perfect, which means he is infinite in power, presence, compassion, and good-will.
- Analyzes how descartes relies on these principles and their implications in order to prove the existence of the corporeal world.
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