1D Deductive - Classical Ontological

Question 1

Give an example of a valid deductive proof

Answer 1

1) All oceans contain water.
2) The Atlantic is an ocean.
Conc.) The Atlantic contains water.

Question 2

Give an example of an invalid deductive proof and explain why it is not valid.

Answer 2

1) All birds can fly.
2) Penguins are birds.
Conc.) Penguins can fly.
• Whilst this is logically sound, the premise “All birds can fly” is factually inaccurate

Question 3

What was the original title of Anselm’s Proslogion and what does it mean?

Answer 3

‘Fides Quaerens Intellectum’ - ‘Faith Seeking Understanding’

Question 4

What does ‘ontos’ mean?

Answer 4

‘being’

Question 5

Give a brief introduction to St. Anselm.

Answer 5

• Benedictine monk
• Archbishop of Canterbury.
• His ontological argument was not to convert unbelievers but to demonstrate rationality behind his own faith.

Question 6

How does Anselm open Proslogion 2?

Answer 6

• With a reference to Psalm 14:1 - ‘The fool says in his heart, “There is no God”.’

Question 7

P2. According to Anselm, what is God?

Answer 7

• “that than which nothing greater can be conceived”

Question 8

P2. If God is TTWNGCBC, what does this mean?

Answer 8

• He must exist in reality as something that exists in reality is greater than in the mind.
• An existent being is greater than an illusory being.
• The concept of God is surpassed by an existent God.
• However, as he is TTWNGCBC, he exists in both the mind AND reality.

Question 9

P2. What example did Anselm give to show how God exists in both the mind and reality.

Answer 9

• The example of a painter and a painting.

* Before it exists in reality, a painting needs to exist in the mind of a painter.

Question 10

P3. Use two ways to show how necessary > contingent.

Answer 10

• Contingent = Dependent on something else for existence
• Necessary = Not dependent
• Contingent = Can be thought of to not exist
• Necessary = Cannot be thought of to not exist.

∴ Necessary > Contingent

Question 11

P3. What does the fact that God is TTWNGCBC mean for his existence?

Answer 11

• God’s existence is necessary.
• It is an integral part of what it means to be God; a unique feature above that of all existent beings.
• “God cannot be conceived to not exist.”

Question 12

What about things that are better not existing? e.g. a nine-headed, flesh-eating, giant mosquito.

Answer 12

• The best version of this is a non-existent version as it is bad or undesirable.
• God can never be undesirable - his goodness is an aspect of his greatness.
• As he is so great, it could never be better for him to not exist.