The existence of God: arguments based on reason

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Created by: Daniel1662
Created on: 26-04-18 15:27

What is the ontological argument?

An argument for the existence of God from his definition. Such an argument does not depend on sense experience.

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What is a priori?

Something knowable without reference to sense experience.

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What does Anselm say?

that than which nothing greater can be conceived. Anselm aims to define God in such a way as to make it impossible to conceive of Him as not existing.

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What are some criticisms of Anselm's approach?

Gaunilo and the perfect island- you think of a perfect island, therefore it must exist. "God doesn't exist is contradictory"

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How does Descartes develop Anselm's argument?

God is defined perfect, therefore he must have all of the perfections. Existence is a deifning predicate of the concept of God in exactly the same way that having three sides in necessary to the concept of a triangle.

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How does Kant criticise Anselm and Descartes?

But if you do not have the triangle, you have neither its three angles or its three sides. If you accept that there is a God, it is logical to accept also that His existence is necessary. But you don’t have to accept that there is a God.

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is a priori?

Back

Something knowable without reference to sense experience.

Card 3

Front

What does Anselm say?

Back

Card 4

Front

What are some criticisms of Anselm's approach?

Back

Card 5

Front

How does Descartes develop Anselm's argument?

Back

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The existence of God: arguments based on reason