The ontological argument for the existence of God
Ontological argument
An ontological argument is a philosophical argument for the existence of God that uses ontology. Many arguments fall under the category of the ontological, and they tend to involve arguments about the state of being or existing. More specifically, ontological arguments tend to start with an a priori theory about the organization of the universe.
What is the most convincing argument for God?
There are quite a few arguments that support the existence of God or a divine creator, specifically in the monotheistic religions; however, the most persuasive ones are mainly the cosmological argument and the theological argument. The cosmological argument for God's existence is that things and beings simply exist, and the...
Do you think the ontological argument is valid?
While the ontological argument has been the subject of fierce criticism by many contemporary philosophers, many of the criticisms of it result from a failure to properly understand the argument. The ontological argument is clearly logically valid—that is to say, the conclusion necessarily follows provided that Premises 1 to 5 are true.
What is the ontological proof for the existence of God?
Gödel's ontological proof is a formal argument by the mathematician Kurt Gödel for the existence of God. The argument is in a line of development that goes back to Anselm of Canterbury. St. Anselm's ontological argument, in its most succinct form, is as follows: "God, by definition, is that for which no greater can be conceived. God exists in the understanding. If God exists in the understanding, we could imagine Him to be greater by existing in reality. Therefore, God must exist." A more ...
What is Kant's argument for God?
Kant's argument for the existence of God seeks to show that God is necessary to make sense of our experience of morality. His argument proceeds in several stages and is closely linked with his deontological view of ethics. Kant begins by pointing out that in a perfect world, virtue should be rewarded by happiness.
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What is the ontological argument in simple terms?
The ontological argument is an idea in religious philosophy. It is supposed to show that God exists. There are different versions, but they all argue something like: because we can imagine a perfect being, there must be a god. The idea is that existing makes a good thing better than one that's only imaginary.
What are the 3 main arguments for the existence of God?
Much of the discussion has focused on Kant's “big three” arguments: ontological arguments, cosmological arguments, and teleological arguments.
What is wrong with the ontological argument?
In the end, the Ontological Argument fails as a proof for the existence of God when careful attention is paid to the cognitive terms that it employs. When the terms are disambiguated, either nothing philosophically interesting follows or nothing follows at all.
How does the ontological argument fail to prove the existence of God?
The Ontological Argument fails because it omits one small but powerful word: 'If'. With unicorns: If there are unicorns, then they will be horses with horns. With God: If there is a God, then God will exist necessarily. 1 It is a deductive argument, so if it succeeds, it is a proof of the existence of God.
Which is the strongest argument for the existence of God?
The single most powerful argument attempting to prove God's existence is a version of the “argument from design,” based on what is called the anthropic cosmological principle, proposed by John D.
What are the 5 proofs of God's existence?
Thomas Aquinas' Five Ways to Prove the Existence of GodThe First Way: Motion.The Second Way: Efficient Cause.The Third Way: Possibility and Necessity.The Fourth Way: Gradation.The Fifth Way: Design.
Does God exist Yes or no?
Scientists don't try to prove or disprove God's existence because they know there isn't an experiment that can ever detect God. And if you believe in God, it doesn't matter what scientists discover about the Universe – any cosmos can be thought of as being consistent with God.
Is the ontological argument valid?
This argument seems to be valid, since the truth of the premises would guarantee the truth of the conclusion. And it also seems to be sound, since, in addition, the premises seem to be true. But there is another less direct way to argue for a claim, which is sometimes called reductio ad absurdum, or just reductio.
How successful is the ontological argument?
There is no real evidence to show God's existence and some statements are poor (such as existence being predicate). Therefore the Ontological Argument is unsuccessful in proving God's existence.
Does the ontological argument justify belief?
In conclusion, whilst Kant successfully shows that the Ontological ultimately fails, from a theist approach, the ontological argument is able to justify belief given that you understand God to exist.
What is the ontological theory?
Ontology is the theory of objects and their ties. It provides criteria for distinguishing different types of objects (concrete and abstract, existent and nonexistent, real and ideal, independent and dependent) and their ties (relations, dependencies and predication).
What is an argument against the existence of God?
Now, one very common argument against the existence of God is the argument from evil. And it goes like this– if God exists, God is both all powerful and perfectly good. If God is all powerful, God is able to prevent any evil he wishes to prevent. If God is perfectly good, God wishes to prevent any evil he can prevent.
What are the 3 main points of Aquinas's theory?
Aquinas's first three arguments—from motion, from causation, and from contingency—are types of what is called the cosmological argument for divine existence. Each begins with a general truth about natural phenomena and proceeds to the existence of an ultimate creative source of the universe.
What are the three main arguments for the existence of God quizlet?
three sorts of epistemic arguments for theism: 'cosmological arguments', 'teleological arguments' and 'ontological arguments'.
How do we know that God exists?
As mentioned earlier, evidence for God's existence is widely available through creation, conscience, rationality and human experience.
How does the first cause argument prove the existence of God?
Scientific discoveries, eg the Big Bang theory , can be seen to support the first cause argument. If God caused the 'Big Bang', then God is the 'first cause' that brought the cosmos (universe) into existence. It confirms to the theist that there is purpose to the cosmos and a place for God as its 'creator'.
What is the ontological argument for God?
Ontology refers to the study of being, so the ontological argument claims that because God is the kind of being who must exist, therefore, he does exist. Most arguments for God’s existence start from something we observe in the world that logically infer God as the cause of these observable effects (e.g.
Who tried to refute the ontological argument?
One of Anselm’s contemporaries, a monk named Gaunilo, tried to refute the argument by parodying it in order to show its absurdities (a technique called reductio ad absurdum ). He said that one could conceive of an island “than which none greater can be conceived” but it wouldn’t follow that such a perfect island actually exists. Modern atheists often resort to a variant of Gaunilo’s reply by saying that the ontological argument could be used to prove absurdities like a “maximally great pizza” must exist.
What did Anselm say about God?
Anselm started with the idea that God is “that, than which nothing greater can be conceived.”. If you think God is just a powerful creator of the universe who was made by some other god, than what you’re thinking of isn’t God, because there is something greater than it (i.e. the God that made this god). So, now that we understand God is “that, ...
Which philosophers used modal logic to get around Kant's criticism?
The most famous of these is Alvin Platinga ’s argument that a “maximally great being” must exist. William Lane Craig summarizes Plantinga’s argument this way:
Where did the saying "God turns out to be too good not to be true" come from?
As was pointed out recently in this space, the argument’s origin can be found in the writings of the eleventh century saint and doctor of the Church, Anselm of Canterbury. Anselm started with the idea ...
Who believe that God is a real possibility?
The philosophers Brian Leftow and Alexander Pruss believe the ontological argument can be strengthened by noting that people’s experience of God supports the premise that God is a real possibility since people don’t have experiences of logically impossible things like square circles.
Does God have all power?
Well, God must have all power, all knowledge, and all forms of goodness. Anselm then goes on to say: If that, than which nothing greater can be conceived, exists in the understanding alone, the very being, than which nothing greater can be conceived, is one, than which a greater can be conceived. But obviously this is impossible.
What is the ontological argument?
The Ontological Argument. The ontological argument for the existence of God is a classical Christian argument that contends that the very concept of God logically and necessarily demands existence. It is the argument that, if one understands what is meant by the word “God” and follows it out to the logical conclusion, ...
Why are we not imagining God?
Similarly, if you are imagining a being that might or might not exist, you are not imagining God, because the very concept of God demands existence. Think about the concept of “truth” for a moment. Truth simply has to exist. Some people claim that there really is no truth, but they simply have not followed it through.
What does it mean when a maximally great being exists?
If a maximally great being exists, then it exists in some possible world.
What is the definition of God without creation?
A God who, even without creation, is to Himself “I” and “You” and “We” and “They”. One supreme and perfect being who is three distinct persons. Whether one considers the ontological argument to be a good one or not, it is no real wonder that it has always been almost exclusively a Christian argument.
What does it mean when a statement is not true?
If the statement is not true, then it is untrue that truth does not exist, and therefore truth exists. The very concept of truth demands existence just as plainly as the very concept of a triangle demands three sides. The Ontological argument insists that God’s existence is necessary in this same way. The very concept of God simply demands ...
Is the idea of an island logically necessary?
The very idea of “island” is contrary to the idea of being logically necessary. The concept of God demands existence, but the concept of island demands that it may or may not exist depending on other factors. These caricatures, therefore, do not actually challenge the logic of the argument. Some have tried to show the argument to be ...
Is the argument that God is more likely to exist rooted in probability?
It also is not rooted in probability. If the argument is right, it is wholly right. It does not show God to be more likely to exist, but rather insists that He must exist. It, therefore, takes the person out of the position of judging what is true and places them in the position of responding to the truth.
What is an ontological argument?
e. An ontological argument is a philosophical argument, made from an ontological basis, that is advanced in support of the existence of God. Such arguments tend to refer to the state of being or existing. More specifically, ontological arguments are commonly conceived a priori in regard to the organization of the universe, whereby, ...
When was the first ontological argument made?
2012. Ontological Proofs Today. Ontos Verlag. "There are three main periods in the history of ontological arguments. The first was in 11th century, when St. Anselm of Canterbury came up with the first ontological argument" (p. 22).
What is Gaunilo's analogy of a perfect island?
Gaunilo, suggesting that the ontological argument could be used to prove the existence of anything, uses the analogy of a perfect island. Such would be the first of many parodies, all of which attempted to show the absurd consequences of the ontological argument.
How did Anselm respond to Gaunilo's criticism?
Anselm responded to Gaunilo's criticism by arguing that the argument applied only to concepts with necessary existence. He suggested that only a being with necessary existence can fulfill the remit of "that than which nothing greater can be conceived". Furthermore, a contingent object, such as an island, could always be improved and thus could never reach a state of perfection. For that reason, Anselm dismissed any argument that did not relate to a being with necessary existence.
How many sections of Hegel's book did he die in?
Hegel died before finishing the book. It was to have three sections: (1) The Cosmological Argument; (2) The Teleological Argument; and (3) the Ontological Argument. Hegel died before beginning sections 2 and 3. His work is published today as incomplete, with only part of his Cosmological Argument intact.
What is conceptual argument?
conceptual (or hyperintensional ): arguments that invoke "the possession of certain kinds of ideas or concepts."
How many stages did Daniel Dombrowski mark in the development of the argument?
Daniel Dombrowski marked three major stages in the development of the argument:
Who created the ontological argument?
The ontological argument, which proceeds not from the world to its Creator but from the idea of God to the reality of God, was first clearly formulated by St. Anselm (1033/34–1109) in his Proslogion (1077–78). Anselm began with the concept of God as that than which nothing greater can be conceived ...
Who made the assumption that existence is an attribute that a given X can have or fail to have?
After some discussion in the 13th century it was reformulated by Descartes in his Meditations (1641). Descartes made explicit the assumption, implicit in Anselm’s reasoning, that existence is an attribute that a given X can have or fail to have.
Does God lack the attribute of existence?
It follows from this—together with the assumption that existence is an attribute that is better to have than to lack—that God, as unsurpassably perfect, cannot lack the attribute of existence. It was the assumption that existence is a predicate that has, in the view of most subsequent philosophers, proved fatal to the argument.
Does God have to have necessary existence?
A being that necessarily exists cannot coherently be thought not to exist. And so God, as the unsurpassably perfect being, must have necessary existence—and therefore must exist.
Which ontological argument asserts that God is the greatest?
The ontological argument asserts God, being defined as most great or perfect, must exist since a God who exists is greater than a God who does not. It is first mentioned in Anselm's work, the Proslogion. Anselm argued that reality is always better than idea.
What is the idea of God?
Idea of God. Okay, let's repeat our definition. The ontological argument asserts God, being defined as most great or perfect, must exist since a God who exists is greater than a God who does not. Now let's try to break this down. To do this, philosophers have come at it from all different ways.
What is the flaw in Anslem's argument?
This argument asserted Anslem's argument contained a major flaw in the fact that words like supreme, unmatched or perfect mean different things to different people. For instance, he argued one person may think an island is perfect and unmatched, but another person might think it abysmal. Case in point, my husband's perfect island includes ice cream, cookies, and no water sports in sight! To me, this sounds horrible. My perfect island has French fries, potato chips, swimming, snorkeling, and jet skis.
What does Anselm say about God?
Anselm says the same is true of God. Since by very definition God is a Supreme Being, then the only thing that can be greater than the idea of God, is actually God. And, since we know the idea of God exists, then God must exist.
What does Anselm mean when he talks about God?
For me, the following is the easiest to grasp, so hold onto your hat. First of all, when Anselm spoke of God, he meant the most Supreme Being. Putting it as plainly as I can think to, nothing can be thought of that is greater than God.
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Who created the ontological argument?
As originally formulated by theologian and philosopher Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109), the ontological argument is as follows:
What is the philosophical definition of ontology?
Ontology is the philosophical of the nature of being, becoming, existence, or reality, as well as the basic categories of being and their relations. (Wikipedia)
What does Godel say about existence?
Godel says that if existence is true, and what is true exists, then existence must be consistent with itself, the opposite of which doesn't make any sense.
What is the meaning of being that exists as an idea in the mind?
A being that exists as an idea in the mind and in reality is, other things being equal, greater than a being that exists only as an idea in the mind.
Who first proposed the reverse ontological argument?
This is a version of the Ontological Argument, first proffered by Australian philosopher, Douglas Gasking, (1911-1994).
Is baryogenesis an opposite of all things?
There is an Equal Opposite to all things . In science it is recognized as Baryogenesis. Please see the link for a video that explains it scientifically Baryogenesis Equal opposites
Can the attentive mind recognize transformative consciousness?
Still, the attentive mind can recognize transformative consciousness and a qualitative rapport with existence. To relinquish and allow for such clarity is not a philosophical discussion, it's not a theoretical supposition or even a theological presumption or by adopting a belief structure.
Who wrote the ontological argument?
The Ontological Argument , entry in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, by Kenneth Einar Himma (Seattle Pacific University)
What is the most famous objection to the ontological argument?
Perhaps the most famous objection to the ontological argument is that existence is not a property or predicate. Popularized by Kant, this objection enjoys the status of a slogan known by every undergraduate philosophy major worth her salt. In claiming that existence is included in the idea of a supremely perfect being, along with all the other divine attributes, Descartes’ version of the argument appears to succumb to this objection.
What is Descartes's simplicity?
The Simplicity of the “Argument”. One of the hallmarks of Descartes’ version of the ontological argument is its simplicity. Indeed, it reads more like the report of an intuition than a formal proof. Descartes underscores the simplicity of his demonstration by comparing it to the way we ordinarily establish very basic truths in arithmetic ...
Why did Descartes use the ontological argument?
Descartes sometimes uses traditional arguments as heuristic devices, not merely to appease a scholastically trained audience but to help induce clear and distinct perceptions . This is evident for example in the version of the ontological argument standardly associated with his name: Version B:
What does Descartes say about God?
In the Fifth Meditation and elsewhere Descartes says that God’s existence follows from the fact that existence is contained in the “true and immutable essence, nature, or form” of a supremely perfect being, just as it follows from the essence of a triangle that its angles equal two right angles.
What is Descartes' reference to essence?
In claiming that necessary existence cannot be excluded from the essence of God, Descartes is drawing on the traditional medieval distinction between essence and existence.
How does Descartes demonstrate simplicity?
Descartes underscores the simplicity of his demonstration by comparing it to the way we ordinarily establish very basic truths in arithmetic and geometry, such as that the number two is even or that the sum of the angles of a triangle is equal to the sum of two right angles.
Overview
An ontological argument is a philosophical argument, made from an ontological basis, that is advanced in support of the existence of God. Such arguments tend to refer to the state of being or existing. More specifically, ontological arguments are commonly conceived a priori in regard to the organization of the universe, whereby, if such organizational structure is true, God must exist.
The first ontological argument in Western Christian tradition was proposed by Saint Anselm of Ca…
Classification
The traditional definition of an ontological argument was given by Immanuel Kant. He contrasted the ontological argument (literally any argument "concerned with being") with the cosmological and physio-theoretical arguments. According to the Kantian view, ontological arguments are those founded through a priori reasoning.
Graham Oppy, who elsewhere expressed that he "see[s] no urgent reason" to depart from the tra…
Development
Although a version of the ontological argument appears explicitly in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Xenophanes and variations appear in writings by Parmenides, Plato, and the Neoplatonists, the mainstream view is that the ontological argument was first clearly stated and developed by Anselm of Canterbury. Some scholars argue that Islamic philosopher Avicenna (Ibn Sina) …
Criticisms and objections
One of the earliest recorded objections to Anselm's argument was raised by one of Anselm's contemporaries, Gaunilo of Marmoutiers. He invited his reader to conceive an island "more excellent" than any other island. He suggested that, according to Anselm's proof, this island must necessarily exist, as an island that exists would be more excellent. Gaunilo's criticism does not explicitly demonst…
Bibliography
• Freddoso, Alfred J. (1983). The Existence and Nature of God: The Ontological Argument. University of Notre Dame Press.
• Gracia, Jorge J. E.; Gregory M. Reichberg; Bernard N. Schumacher (2003). The Classics of Western Philosophy: A Reader's Guide. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 978-0-631-23611-5.
External links
• Oppy, Graham. "Ontological Arguments". In Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
• Nolan, Lawrence. "Descartes' Ontological argument". In Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
• Himma, Kenneth E. "Anselm: Ontological Arguments for God's Existence". Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.