Topic 5 (Year 12): Ontological argument Flashcards
(17 cards)
Ontology definition.
The branch of philosophy which explores the concept of existence.
Deductive argument definition.
No physical evidence.
What is Saint Anselm’s first argument of the ontological argument? (P1-2, C)
P1 - God is “that than which nothing greater can be conceived”.
P2 - Real or existent things are greater than imaginary ones (only in the mind as an idea).
C - God must exist; the concept of of God is not as great as one that exists in reality.
Why does Anslem think God must exist?
We can imagine him and existence is part of God’s definition - it’s one of his characteristics.
What is Saint Anselm’s second argument of the ontological argument?
It is impossible for God not to exist, he is unsurpassable in all ways, therefore he must be a necessary being as it’s a predicate of God.
Why does Anselm say he needs no evidence for the existence of God?
It is something that we know simply by considering the concept of God.
What does Anselm say is an analytic proposition?
“God exists.”
What does Anselm say about atheists?
He says “the atheist is a fool” because everyone has the same definition of God, and therefore this universal definition must mean God exists necessarily.
Why is Descartes’ Perfect Being compared to a triangle?
Descartes said existence belonged analytically to God, as three angles are analytically predicated to a triangle.
What is the concept of Descartes’ Perfect Being? (2 points)
- While we may be certain of our existence, not everyone has the same notion of this perfect being.
- He claims an imperfect being cannot think of a perfect being.
Why does Aquinas disagree with Anselm’s arguments? (3 points)
- Aquinas says that, while he still believes in God, a priori arguments cannot demonstrate the existence of God and that not everybody has the same definition of God.
- He also argues that we can conceive of God not existing, and we cannot fully understand the concept of God anyways.
Why does Gaunilo of Marmoutier disagree with Anselm’s arguments?
He says it permits anything to be thought into existence.
What example does Gaunilo give in his criticism? Explain. (2 points)
- The perfect (mythical) lost island - he says that if it did not exist, it would be a contradiction to say it was perfect because perfection is a part of existence.
- However, Gaunilo says perfection does not exist and there is no trace of these perfect beings existing either.
What is Kant’s first objection to Descartes’ Perfect Being?
Not everyone believes the same definition of God to be correct.
What is Kant’s second objection to Descartes’ Perfect Being?
Existence is not a predicate, to say something exists adds nothing at all to the idea of a thing.
What example does Kant use to back up his second objection?
Money - the difference between having and imagining money.
Why does Kant use this example? (2 points)
- He uses this to say that wehn something exists, this does not add anything to the idea or concept.
- Predicates, however, do add to a concept, so existence is not a predicate.
