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Flashcards in The Ontological Argument Deck (9)
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1
Q

Define The Ontological Argument

A

God must exist as a God who exists is greater than a God who does not

2
Q

Outline Anselm’s First Ontological Argument

A
  1. God is a being “that which nothing greater can be conceived”
  2. Greater to exist ‘in re’ than ‘in intellectu’
  3. God exists in reality as he is the greatest possible being
3
Q

Outline Anselm’s Second Ontological Argument

A
  1. God is a being “that which nothing greater can be conceived”
  2. The greatest imaginable being exists necessarily
  3. God exists necessarily
4
Q

Outline Descartes’ OA

A
  • OA is not proof but a self-evident axiom grasped intuitively by a free mind
  • Triangle analogy: it’s essence are core properties that you can’t change as they already exist => can’ not exist
  • can’t have God without his existence as it would be illogical
5
Q

Outline Plantinga’s Modal OA

A
  1. God is the greatest possible being
  2. Greatest possible being is one that possesses all perfections necessarily
  3. Necessary existence is a perfection
  4. It is possible that the greatest possible being exists
  5. If that is possible then the being exists necessarily
  6. God exists necessarily
  7. God exists
6
Q

Kant’s objection to the OA

A
  • existence is not a predicate
  • existence is a concept corresponding to something in the world => making it like a property as if you are calling something blue
  • Bank account analogy: define it by claiming it contained millions of pounds does not make it so
7
Q

Guanilo’s objection to the OA

A
  • Anselm’s definition of God predetermines the outcome of his argument
  • Perfect island analogy
  • ‘de dictu’ doesn’t mean they exist ‘de re’
8
Q

Quine’s objection to the OA

A
  • denies the existence of abstract objects => makes God’s existence are logically impossible as the only type of objects that exist those that have a contingent existence
9
Q

Aquinas’ objection to the OA

A
  • OA tells you the idea, lacks proof for his existence

- we don’t have an agreed definition of God => no way of knowing if this characterisation of God is correct