Ontological argument Flashcards
(21 cards)
What are Anselms two contributions to the ontological argument entitled
Proslogion 2 and 3
What is a deductive a priori argument.
Deductive-if the premises are true then the conclusion must be true. A priori-based off of theory or predictions rather than experience.
What was Anselms “theological framework” for the Proslogion
Faith seeking understanding.
What is TTWNGCBC
That then which no greater can be conceived.
How does Anselm attempt to prove the existence of God in proslogion 2
Imagine the greatest thing you can(God). Now imagine it can exist and it cannot exist. Which one is greater? The one that exists. ergo, God, the greatest being, muist exist, otherwise he is not the greatest being.
What differs between proslogion 2 and 3
In 3 Anslem attempts to prove God has a necessary existence.
Who was Anselms fool
the disbeliever.
What were Descartes advancements of the ontological argument
He believed we are born with innate ideas, derived from God. Born with ideas of good etc.
Emphasises proslogion 2 that existence is a necessary part of perfection (posessing every good quality) Existence is a predicate of God.
Triangles and Mountains-predicates of valleys and angles etc
What was Malcolm’s opinion of the early ontological argument
he accepted Kants argument that existence is not a predicate but advanced proslogion 3, that Gods existence is necessary using modal reasoning to provide a deductive proof.
What was Gaunilos criticisms of the Ontological argument, and anselms response
Used it to prove the existence of a perfect island-flawed, reducvtio ad absurdum.
Anselm responded it Only works with God, no objective best island(one more palm tree) because of his necessary existence.
What were Kants cirticisms of the Ontological argument?
Existence is not a predicat- it does not really tell you anything about a being
100 thalers-whether real or not their value remains the same. No descriptive change with existence.
Descartes triangle, although a triangle needs 3 sides, you can reject the idea of the triangle entirely.
Definition different to reality-unicorns have one horn but that doesnt mean they are real.
Whenn was Anselm born
1033
What was anselms disctinction between the mind and reality called, in latin
in intellectu (inferior)
in re (superior)
What was the argument of proslogion 2
God is ttwngcbc
Existing in intellectu is inferior to in re
God therefore cannot exist in the mind alone, and so must exist in reality
What is the argument in proslogian 3
God is ttwngcbc
We can imagine a being that has to exist (a necessary being)
We can imagine a being that may not exist (a contingent being)
A necessary being is greater than a contingent being
God is ttwngcbc, and therefore has a necessary existennce
Whhat was Malcolms continuation of the ontological argument
God, as TTWNGCBC, is an unlimited being
Gods existennce can either be impossible, possible, or definite
His existence is not impossible, as it is not self-contradicting, and if it was possible, but not certain, he would be a limited, contingent being
Therefore, his existence is definite
What did malcolm think of his own argument
He only rephrased anselms original one
He did not think it was convinving for non-believers
How did Bertrand Russel describe the ontological argument
Philosophical sleight of hand
What was Gaunilo’s reply to anselm called
Pro Insipiente-On behalf of the fool
What was Anslems response to gaunilos argument
He was impressed and included it in later editions of proslogion
