1.2 Ontological argument

Question 1

What does the term ‘ontological’ come from?

Answer 1

Greek term ‘ontos’ meaning existence/being

Question 2

What kind of argument is the OA?

Answer 2

Deductive

Question 3

What kind of statements does the OA use?

Answer 3

Analytical

Question 4

What kind of knowledge does the OA use?

Answer 4

A priori

Question 5

Main scholar of OA?

Answer 5

St Anselm

Question 6

Anselm’s main work?

Answer 6

Proslogium

Question 7

Anselm’s definition of God

Answer 7

“God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived”

Question 8

What is Psalms 14:1

Answer 8

“The fools says in his heart there is no God”

Question 9

Anselm’s first argument (premise, premise, conclusion)

Answer 9

P1: God is that than which nothing can be conceived
P2: it is greater to exist in reality than just in the mind
Conclusion: God as the greatest conceivable being must exist in the mind and in reality

Question 10

Who are the 2 main critics of the OA?

Answer 10

Kant and Guanilo

Question 11

Summarise the lost island analogy (premise, premise, conclusion)

Answer 11

P1: it is possible to conceive of the most perfect and lost island
P2: it is greater to exist in reality than just in the mind
Conclusion: The most perfect and real lost island must exist in reality

Question 12

What is reductio ad absurdum

Answer 12

Argument from absurdity

Question 13

What is Anselm’s criticism of the island analogy?

Answer 13

An island is contingent and God is necessary

Question 14

Summarise Anselm’s second argument (premise, premise, conclusion)

Answer 14

P1: God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived
P2: the greatest conceivable being cannot be conceived not to exist
Conclusion: God and God alone has necessary existence

Question 15

According to Anselm why must God exist?

Answer 15

Because it is in his nature

Question 16

Define necessary existence

Answer 16

A being which cannot fail to exist

Question 17

Define contingent existence

Answer 17

Something whcih relies on something else to exist

Question 18

Who was Gaunilo?

Answer 18

A benedictian monk who criticised Anselm’s argument

Question 19

What was Gaunilo’s criticism called?

Answer 19

‘On behalf of the fool’

Question 20

What is Gaunilo’s argument on gossip as a way of criticising Anselm?

Answer 20

Gossip is unreliable and just because you have it in the mind does not mean it is true in reality

Question 21

What is Gaunilo’s argument on not being able to define things into existence as a way of criticising Anselm?

Answer 21

You cannot demonstrate the existence of something just by having an idea about it

Question 22

What is Gaunilo’s island analogy as a way of criticising Anselm?

Answer 22

anyone can think of a most perfect paradise island but this does not mean it exists in reality

Question 23

How did Anselm respond to Gaunilo?

Answer 23

By claiming that God’s existence is necessary as God is a necessary being

Question 24

Explain this strength of the OA: it is deductive

Answer 24

if it succeeds it provides 100% proof of the existence of God

Question 25

Explain this strength of the OA: it supports faith

Answer 25

God as TTWNGCBC supports traditional beliefs about God

Question 26

What are Kant’s two criticisms of the OA

Answer 26

1. Existence is not a predicate
2. God is not a necessary being

Question 27

Explain Kant’s criticism: existence is not a predicate

Answer 27

‘existence’ does not add anything to the concept of a thing

Question 28

What example did Kant use to highlight existence is not a predicate?

Answer 28

Thalers = round, bronze currency used in Kant’s time

Question 29

Explain Kant’s criticism: God is not a necessary being

Answer 29

God exists necessarily can be a true statement but it does not mean God exists in reality

Question 30

How can the OA have value for religious faith?

Answer 30

It helps believers understand the nature of God

Question 31

How can the OA not have value for religious faith? Hint: Kierkegaard

Answer 31

Belief in God is not based on any proof - you must take a leap of faith