Abstract This essay looks at the argument for the existence of God, by arguing against Kant's criticism of the Anselmian OntologicalArgument in favor of God. It details the OntologicalArgument, noting the definitions of the priori, a posteriori, necessary and contingent propositions. It then looks at how Kant built on Aquinas' proofs of the existence of God, and refutation of Anselm's proofs, but then how Kant's criticism fails through his inconclusive argument that God must not exist in order to exist.
From the Paper "A Criticism of the Ontological Argument for God The Ontological Argument was formulated by Saint Anselm (1033 - 1109), the future Archbishop of Canterbury. He made the influential "A Priori" argument in favor of the existence of God. This argument would later be famously rejected by Saint Thomas Aquinas (c. 1224 - 1274), an accomplished theologian and philosopher, who rejected Anselms' argument with a five point "A Posteriori" argument in favor of God. It would be later Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804) who would launch one of the strongest critiques of Anselm's ontological argument, by arguing that existence is not actually a property of existing things."
Abstract This paper discusses and compares Martin Heidegger's phenomenological analysis of human existence and St. Anselm's ontologicalargument on the existence of God. The writer describes the concept of "dasein," or "being," and the special meanings that Heidegger assigned to it. The writer explains how Heidegger saw being as preceding knowing and how his argument progresses to the conclusion that the being of "dasein" is time. St. Anselm, on the other hand, begins with a negative proposition and uses logic to deduce the existence of God. The writer concludes that while St. Anselm derives everything else from the generalization of God's existence from logic, Heidegger finds it nearly impossible to even completely understand the concept of being.
Outline:
Heidegger
St. Anselm Comparison
From the Paper "St. Anselm advanced that since God is that, than which nothing greater can be thought, He must necessarily exist in reality (Kent 2006). His ontological argument was in the form of a deduction ad absurdum. It presents a hypothesis, which presents unacceptable or non-valid consequences, which make the hypothesis false. He argues that God is that "than which no greater can be conceived" and sets it in conflict with the hypothesis that God does not exist. If the hypothesis is accepted or valid, then nothing imaginable can be greater than God. It also argues that a God that exists is greater than a God that does not exist."
Abstract The writer of this paper shows how Anselm (1033-1109), philosopher, theologian and church leader presented an argument for the existence of God that has been debated by philosophers and academicians for centuries. The paper shows that from the beginning, Anselm's argument has been met with criticism, appreciation and interest by philosophers such as Kant, Descartes and Spinoza. The writer is of the opinion that, after studying the argument, although interesting, it has certain basic flaws, which he attempts to bring out in this paper.
From the Paper "While analyzing Anselm's argument and focusing on its weaknesses, the obvious question arises: Why has the argument fascinated so many philosophers over the years, if it was such a weak argument? The answer probably is that it is difficult to prove Anselm's argument wrong logically. Even Kant's argument that ? existence is not a predicate? has been challenged by others who have argued that there are senses in which existence is a predicate. So the controversy of and fascination with Anselm's argument is far from over and is likely to continue."
Tags: Book, on, Behalf, of, the, Fool, Lost, Island, Proslogium, Gaunilo, Liebniz, RAA
Abstract A definition of an ontologicalargument is provided - to show that God exists without appealing to any real proof. The paper then introduces Middles Ages Saint Anselm's proposed ontologicalargument whereby he stated that the thought of God would not exist in the human mind if the potentiality for God's presence were not already embedded in the human mind.
From the Paper "The basics of the ontological argument are: God is defined as the being in which none greater is possible. It is true that the notion of God exists in the understanding and in reality, meaning in the mind and as a possible being. If God exists only in the mind and may have existed in reality, then God might have been greater than He is. But if God is a being in which none greater is possible, then it is not possible for God to have existed only in the mind. The conclusion is that God must exist in reality, as well."
Abstract This paper begins with a summary and explanation of St. Anselm's ontologicalargument for the existence of God. The paper then takes a look at rebuttals to his argument presented by such famous thinkers as Rene Descartes, St. Thomas Aquinas and David Hume.
From the Paper "St. Anselm's ontological argument for the existence of God makes an appeal to pure reasoning, priori, without empirical evidence of any sort. St. Anselm's argument begins with a reference to fool in Psalms 53:1. St. Anselm asserts that even the fool is convinced that something exists in the understanding at least, than which nothing greater can be conceived. He claims that merely by analyzing the concept of God, we can deduce that God exists. St. Anselm's stresses that God is the greatest conceivable being, "a being than which none greater can be conceived." St. Anselm's concept is logical and understandable because it is intelligible, God exists in the understanding. St. Anselm's argument goes onto state that a being that exists merely in the understanding is not as great as a being that exists in reality as well. So a being that exists in the understanding alone is not the greatest conceivable being. "
Abstract This paper explains that the "ontologicalargument" in favor of God's existence has remained one of the keys to the fundamental notion that the existence of God can be verified through logical argumentation. The author points out that Aquinas introduces the idea of the first, unmovable mover, which is responsible for all of the cause and effect events witnessed today, and investigates what aspects of the world betray the existence of God and why His existence is questioned so readily. The paper relates that Augustine's position is that human beings are positioned so that they can act rightly but that the actions and sins of the past have hindered the path towards God.
From the Paper "The first sin Augustine characterizes as being like an act of a prisoner who creates false freedom for himself by breaking the rules and intending not to be caught. Obviously, Adam was caught, and all the subsequent sins of man have created a world in which God cannot be found without help; it has become too easy to commit acts of moral evil that those who do so often act out of ignorance. In other words, ignorance of God is not an innate facet of the human condition but is the burden that all human beings carry as a result of past sins."
Abstract This paper discusses Plantinga's restatement of the ontologicalargument. It also points out the main criticisms to which his version might be subject.
Abstract This paper discusses the the age old argument of who or what is God, what qualities does God have and can God even be defined. The writer of this paper explains and defines in detail the ontologicalarguments as given by Saint Anselm and Rene Descartes.
Topics covered in this paper include:
Introduction
Anselm's Version
Descartes' Version
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "Another counterargument to Anselm's ontological argument is that it assumes that God in reality must be something that is greater than what can be conceived. In this case, however, "God," first of all, could not be conceived of, thereby making the argument useless. Also, even if God could be conceived of, what would be greater than what could be conceived of would be unintelligible. Being unintelligible, it could be that no theory that man could ever formulate might be able to be applied to "God."
Abstract This paper first outlines Descartes? argument for the existence of God as set forth in Meditation V. The writer then addresses the two most prominent objections to this argument: First, Kant's objection that Descartes' argument is valid but unsound because it contains a false premise, and second, Caterus? objection that the argument is invalid because the conclusion does not logically follow the premises.
From the Paper "Having established that clear and distinct perceptions are true, Descartes then asserts that he has a clear and distinct perception of God. ?Clearly the idea of God, that is, the idea of a supremely perfect being, is one I discover to be no less within me than the idea of any figure or number.? (M., 368) Additionally, this perception of God includes the concept of existence. ?It is obvious to anyone who pays close attention that existence can no more be separated from God's essence than [a triangle] having three angles equal to two right angles, or that the idea of a valley can be separated from the idea of a mountain.? (M., 369) Descartes then combines this concept with his first premise to complete the argument. Since clear and distinct perceptions about the nature of a thing are true, and the idea of existence is inextricably linked with the idea of a God, Descartes concludes that a God must therefore exist."
Abstract This paper examines St. Anselm of Canterbury's and Thomas Aquinas' attempts to prove the existence of God. The paper examines the arguments of both theologians and explains that, while their methods of proving the existence of God are very different, their arguments have endured and influenced Christian thought through the centuries. The paper also looks at the weaknesses in both men's theories and concludes with the assertion that the major weakness of both theories is that they prove the existence of God but not the existence of the God of the Bible and that in order to believe in the Christian God, divine revelation is needed.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Anselm's Arguments Argument from Goodness
Argument from Existence
OntologicalArgument Aquinas' Arguments Argument from Motion
Argument from Efficient Cause
St. Aquinas on St. Anselm Problems with Anselm Problems with Aquinas
Conclusion
From the Paper "Anselm (1033 - 1109), would be considered in today's terms a theologian/philosopher. Anselm is most famous for his writings on; "Why God Became Man", his "satisfaction" theory of the atonement, and the "ontological argument." (His satisfaction theory effectively refuted early medieval notions of the devil's "rights" over fallen humankind. The satisfaction theory shaped nearly all Catholic and Protestant thought on redemptive theology, and is still prevalent at the date of this paper. (Evangelical dictionary of theology)). Anselm attempted to prove the existence of God via a much-debated theory known as the "ontological argument", which will be considered in further detail below."
Abstract This paper offers a brief synopsis of the 'Proslogion', and Anselm's ontologicalargument. The writer examines Anselm's first premise of the ontologicalargument for evidence to prove God's existence via reason, and explains how it is compelling in that it astutely chooses understanding and coherency as foundation to knowing. The second premise follows with a vigilant use of philosophical forms to prove God's existence is reality. The writer concludes that Anselm's work serves as a potent persuasive tool for the theist who is engaged in an ontological dialogue with an atheist or agnostic. This paper contains MLA-style footnotes but does not include a works cited page.
From the Paper "First, Anselm writes about understanding, and how understanding and conceiving leads to existence of that which is conceived. If something is understood by a person then it exists. When the concept of God is conceived and understood, God then exists. For example, if an expression X is understood by a person Y, then X exists in the understanding of Y. Second, Anselm's argument informs us that when something exists in understanding it also exists in reality. As a matter of importance, it would be better for it to exist in reality than in understanding. Lastly, if the Supreme Being only exists in understanding, it would then entertain the thought of something being greater than it. If the Supreme Being exists in understanding, it can be "thought" to exist in reality."
Abstract This paper discusses the ontologicalargument, mainly as seen through the eyes of two philosophers"St. Anselm and Immanuel Kant"to examine the significance of this argument in proving that God exists. The paper defines an ontologicalargument as an argument intended to show that God exists without actually showing any real proof.
From the Paper "Many of the well-known arguments for God's existence depend upon at least one empirical premise. For example, the design argument relies on empirical evidence of intelligent design, stating that life could not have developed had certain basic properties of the universe differed from what they are (Himma, 2001). In addition, cosmological arguments depend on certain empirical statements about the explanation for the occurrence of various events. The ontological arguments are different than most arguments for God's existence, as they aim to show that we can deduce God's existence from the very definition of God, without relying on any type of empirical premise."
Abstract The paper examines how the argument for the existence of God has been around since the beginning of man. The paper explores how different generations, cultures, and nations have conceptualized a being greater than anything else. The paper further examines the various arguments brought forth to prove or disprove the existence of this being. The paper analyzes various arguments that use logic, mathematics, and the universe in order to prove God's existence. The paper discusses the popular arguments and how effective they are in proving God's existence.
Outline:
Introduction
Principles:
1.Plato/St. Thomas Aquinas - the Cosmological Argument 2.Rene Descartes/St. Anselm - OntologicalArgument 3.Friedrich Nietzsche - Atheism/Existentialism/Nihilism
Personal Views
Historical Views
Conclusion
From the Paper "These options show that going to heaven is better than oblivion, and that oblivion is better than eternal torment. Therefore, the best option is to believe in God. This argument is supposed to be a last resort for converting non-believers by scaring them with the possibility of going to hell. However, the argument is flawed because it made certain assumptions that are still controversial such as the idea that God rewards believers (what if God is indifferent?) and that God is a Christian God (if there are other gods, then there might be other possibilities of going to heaven other than the options above)."
A comparison of three distinct approaches to the proofs for the existence of God, as set forth, respectively, by Anselm, Thomas Aquinas, and Emanuel Kant.
Abstract This paper analyzes the distinct approaches to the theological question of how to prove God's existence by three theologians: Anselm, Thomas Aquinas and Emanuel Kant. The writer provides the historical, religious and intellectual background of each of the three, and summarizes each theologian's approach and what they had in common, as well as their differences and limitations. The writer also discusses why the three theologians differ and explains how each approach expanded the writer's personal knowledge of the ongoing debate concerning the proofs for God's existence in theology.
From the Paper "Thomas Aquinas lived from 1225 to 1274 C.E. Thomas was related to Italian aristocracy and to kings and emperors of other countries. He joined the Dominicans, who for their missionary purposes stressed the importance of the gospel and academic knowledge. Problems arose in the 13th century with the dealing of the rediscovery of Aristotle's thoughts, thanks to the work of Spanish Muslims such as Averroes. Some theologians completely rejected Aristotelian thought while others accepted it uncritically. Unlike these other theologians, Aquinas welcomed Aristotelian thought but with a critical outlook. The rediscovery of Aristotle's writings was the beginning of how some theologians acquired the ability to initiate a meaningful dialogue between science and philosophy with theology - yet ironically, its acceptance was embraced after Aquinas' life."
Abstract This paper covers both Descartes's ontologicalargument and cosmological argument for the existence of God as well as their counter arguments. It also looks at other philosophers such as Kierkegaard to Kant and their arguments for the existence or non-existence of God. The Cartesian Circle is also discussed along with the 'free will defence argument' and self-originating principles.
From the Paper "The reasoning behind why Descartes decided to try to prove the existence of God stems from his need to do so. Descartes needed to prove the existence of God in order to back up his theory of logic and reasoning and in particular his notions of 'clear and distinct ideas'. These clear and distinct ideas that Descartes has stem from his statement that if he can "perceive something very clearly and distinctly" , then he "can not but believe it to be true" . Indeed Descartes wants God "as a guarantor of the truth of any proposition that anyone...find indubitable while having it distinctly in mind" . Furthermore, Descartes is compelled to try to prove the existence of God because he is incredibly doubtful of everything around him in the exterior world. In fact Descartes' rationalism and constant doubting of his knowledge as a form of his logical reasoning leads hims to the conclusion that he cannot actually imagine an exterior world. "
Tags: cosmological, ontological, Kant, Kierkegaard
