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The ontological argument for the existence of God was devised by St. Anselm of Canterbury, who lived 1033-1106. By philosophical argument, he attempted to prove that the denial of the proposition "God exists" is self-contradictory. It consists of five propositions:
- By the term 'God' is meant a being than which none greater can be conceived
- Whether we affirm or deny the existence of God, a being than which none greater can be conceived exists in the understanding
- It is possible to conceive of a being than which none greater can be conceived existing not only in the understanding but in reality as well; and this is greater
- If, therefore a being than which none greater can be conceived exists only in the understanding, it is not a being than which none greater can be conceived
- Therefore a being than which none greater can be conceived exists also in reality.
Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, it is not a sound argument. The simplest one for a person not educated in philosophy is to replace "the being (God) than which none greater can be conceived" by an island none more beautiful than which can be conceived. This island therefore exists, although in practice we know that it does not.
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WHO was the Theologian who advocated the ontological existence of GOD?
That would be Anselm of Cantebury!
What religious groups support the ontological argument of the existence of God?
The ontological argument of the exsitance of god is supported by abrahmic religions. It is not widely practiced in the current day.
Is the ontological argument deductive or inductive?
The ontological argument is a deductive argument. It aims to prove the existence of God based on the concept of God as a necessary being. It uses logical reasoning to demonstrate that the existence of God is a necessary consequence of the definition of God as a perfect being.
Who is Theologian remebered for his ontological existence of God?
Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury 1100s i think
What is an ontological argument?
The ontological argument is a philosophical argument for the existence of God that is based on the concept of existence or being. It suggests that the very concept of God being the greatest possible being necessarily implies his existence. This argument has been presented and debated by various philosophers throughout history, such as Anselm of Canterbury and René Descartes.
How do you explain the ontological argument for the existence of God?
The ontological argument posits that the concept of God as a perfect being necessitates His existence. It argues that if we can conceive of a being that possesses all perfections (including existence), then that being must exist in reality. Critics argue that existence is not a property that adds to the perfection of a being and that the argument relies heavily on the assumption that existence is a predicate.
What does aquinas say about the ontological argument?
Aquinas critiques the ontological argument, stating that it is not possible to deduce the existence of God from the concept of a perfect being alone. He argues that we cannot know God's existence simply through reason or definition, but must rely on faith and revelation.
What are some recommended books on ontological arguments?
There are many options for books on ontological arguments at Amazon, including The Many-Faced Argument: Recent Studies on the Ontological Argument for the Existence of God. Barnes and Noble and Borders also offer a selection.
What does Cartesian philosophy conclude about the existence of God?
Descartes's major work is Meditations on First Philosophythe third of which deals with the existence of God as an 'effect'Rene' Descartes was a mathematician and idealist philosopher. His major impact on philosophy and religion was his ontological proof of the existence of God.
What is the conclusion to St Anselm's Ontological Argument for the existence of God?
St. Anselm's Ontological Argument concludes that God, defined as "that than which nothing greater can be conceived," must exist in reality and not just in the mind. Anselm argues that if God exists only in the understanding, then a greater being could be conceived to exist in reality, which contradicts the definition of God. Therefore, God must exist in both the mind and in reality, affirming His existence. This argument emphasizes the necessity of God's existence based on the very concept of God itself.
Who was the Saint who formed an ontological proof of God?
The Ontological Argument, first proposed by St. Anselm, consists of five propositions: 1. By the term "God" is meant a being than which none greater can be conceived. 2. Whether we affirm or deny the existence of God, a being than which none greater can be conceived exists in the understanding. 3. It is possible to conceive of a being than which none greater can be conceived existing not only in the understanding but in reality as well; and this is greater. 4. If, therefore, a being than which none greater can be conceived exists only in the understanding, it is not a being than which none greater can be conceived. 5. Therefore, a being than which none greater can be conceived exists also in reality. Anselm's argument, as with similar ontological arguments raised by later theologians, fails because it is not a sound argument.
What philosopher proofs of the existence of God?
Some philosophers who have presented proofs for the existence of God include St. Thomas Aquinas (via the Five Ways), René Descartes (via his ontological argument), and G.W. Leibniz (via the cosmological argument). These proofs vary in their premises and reasoning, but each aims to demonstrate the existence of a higher being through logical deduction.
