The Ontological Argument

Question 1

What is ontology?

Answer 1

The science of existing or being

Question 2

How do ontological arguments aim to prove God’s existence?

Answer 2

From the meaning of the word ‘God’

Question 3

What type of theory is the ontological?

Answer 3

• A priori
• Based on reason

Question 4

What type of argument is the ontological?

Answer 4

• Deductive
• Because it is based on reason, the conclusion can be deduced from the premises
• If you accept the premises, it would be illogical to deny the conclusion.

Question 5

What text and chapters did Anselm suggest his ontological argument in?

Answer 5

The Proslogion, chapter 2 and 3

Question 6

What kind of text is the Proslogion, and what kind of people would be reading it?

Answer 6

A meditative prayerful text
People who already have faith

Question 7

What is Anselm’s first form?

Answer 7

• Anselm defines God as ‘a being that which none greater can be conceived’
• He then distinguishes between something existing in intellectu, and in re.
• However, if God exists only in intellectu, then a greater being than him can be imagined- a being which also exists in re.
• Therefore, God must exist in re for the definition to be true.

Question 8

What does it mean for something to exist in intellectu

Answer 8

It only exists in our mind, not in the real world

Question 9

What does it mean for something to exist in re?

Answer 9

It exists in reality, not just in our minds

Question 10

Who suggested the ‘perfect island’ criticism of Anselm’s first form?

Answer 10

Gaunilo

Question 11

What was Gaunilo’s perfect island criticism?

Answer 11

• Criticised Anselm’s first form
  -He argued you could apply Anselm’s reasoning to any imaginary concept, such as a perfect island, and bring it into existence
• This is illogical and does not happen