ontological argument

Question 1

what is inductive reasoning

Answer 1

A set of premises which move towards a conclusion that is not logically necessary, but is only probable

Inductive reasoning is when you start with specific observations or facts, and infer a general rule or conclusion from them.

Question 2

a-priori means

Answer 2

knowledge gained through reason alone.

Question 3

A posteriori

Answer 3

‘From what comes after’ - knowledge gained through experience

Question 4

Deductive reasoning

Answer 4

A set of premises which move towards a logically necessary conclusion

Question 5

according to Anselm, God is…

Answer 5

‘a being than which nothing greater can be conceived.’

Question 6

Anselm’s reply to Guanillo

Answer 6

An island cannot be defined as ‘that than which no greater island can be conceived’. Because you can always better an island

Question 7

Anselms argument

Answer 7

p1 - god is something which nothing greater can be conceived

p2- things exist either in mind only or in mind and reality

p3- greater for a thing to exist in mind and reality than mind only

logical contradiction for god to exist in mind only (because he is which nothing greater can be conceived) so has to exist in reality

c- god has to exist in mind and reality so must exist

Question 8

anselms second argument

Answer 8

p1- god is something which nothing greater can be conceived

p2- things exist either contingently or neessarily
p3- greater to exist necessarily than contingently

c- same proof by contradiction - so god has to exist necessarily

Question 9

descartes ontological argument

Answer 9

p1- god is supremely perfect being and has all possible perfections

p2- existence is a perfection so has to have perfection (god without existence is like a triangle without 3 sides)

c- god has existence as a perfection which means he exists

Question 10

malcoms ontological argument

Answer 10

• p1- if god exists his existence is necessary
  p2 - gods existence isnt impossible since it isnt contradictory
  p3- gods existence is necessary

Question 11

Platingas ontological argument

Answer 11

God is possible
Of all words god must exist in some
god is perfect and infinite so must exist in all
god exists

Question 12

kant on the ontological arguments

Answer 12

unacceptable logical leap because ‘god exists’ is a synthetic statement

example of coins
can imagine coins with existence and coins that do not exist - no difference so existence cannot be a predicate/ quality of god

Question 13

guanillos response to anslems argument

Answer 13

island which no greater thing can be concieved

Question 14

aquinas on ontological arguments -

Answer 14

a priori argument cannot prove gods existence only experience can

Question 15

criticism of anselms ontological argument (definition)

Answer 15

assumes a definition of god

Question 16

why can existence not be treated as a predicate of a thing

Answer 16

because a predicate is an essence of thing
for example, a chair - back of the chair, part of it etc
if you take these away then there will be no chair
existence doesnt add to an essence - nothing new

Question 17

russels example of santa in the ontological argument

Answer 17

p1 - men exist
p2- santa is a man
c - santa exists

Question 18

How does Descartes describe a perfect god

Answer 18

As having all possible perfections

Question 19

what example does Descartes use to explain the importance of existence as a predicate

Answer 19

to not have it would be like a triangle without three sides