The Ontological Argument

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What makaes the ontological argument a deductive argument?
It makes conclusion of an argument, the only possible outcome. If the points are ture, the conclusion must also be true
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What are the analytic claims?
Arguments thqat are true just by definition. ie. God's existence is based on the definition of God and can be verified without evidence.
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What does the term rationalism mean?
Theory that the foundation of certainty is reason, not experience.
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Who was St. Anselm?
The Archbisop of Canterbury who 'seeks to understand what he believes'. His work is written as a prayer rather than a philosophical thesis.
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What are the origins of the ontological argument?
God is something that which nothing greater can be thought of; things either exist in the mond and reality or mind only. It is greater to exist in the mind and reality. If mind only, something greater thought of therefore God must exist in mind&real
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What does a priori mean?
Can come to a conclusion before having experience.
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What does synthetic mean?
Based on evidence
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How did Anselm define God?
Something that which nothing greater can be thought of. And the voice of faith.
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What does Anselm mean by perfection and existence?
If a being possesses all perfections, then he must exist. Existence = perfection
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Does God need both existence and perfection?
God possesses the perfection of existence in the mind and reality. If this wasn't the case, something greater would exist which is impossible.
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What does intellectu mean?
In the mind
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What does it mean that there has to be a necessary existence?
God is something that which nothing greater can eb thought of. Things either exist contingently or necessarily. It is greater to exist necessarily so God must exist necessarily.
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What is Psalm 53?
'The fool has said in his heart there is no God'. An atheist is a fool as it is impossible to not believe in God when a thought/understanding of God can be conceived.
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What are the strengths of the argument?
Proof for theists and atheists. Definition of God can be accepted by all. An intellectual argument that continues to be studied.
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What are the weaknesses of the argument?
Not coherent - how can God be omniscient? Inconsistent - no being can be omniscient and omnipotent. The concept of God is useless.
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What does Descartes say about the ontological argument?
God = perfect being. Existence = perfection. God without existence makes no sense. God has existence as a perfection so exists.
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Why did Aquinas object to Anselm?
No agreed definition of God. Can only establish/prove existence with a posteriori evidence.
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Explain what Gaunilo meants by the perfect island.
Theory could be use don anything. Island which no greater island can be thought of. Illogical argument and false.
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What did Kant say mean by existence is not a predicate?
Saying something exists doesn't add anything to the essance of it. Said 'God exists' will never be a logical statement.
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Card 2

Front

What are the analytic claims?

Back

Arguments thqat are true just by definition. ie. God's existence is based on the definition of God and can be verified without evidence.

Card 3

Front

What does the term rationalism mean?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Who was St. Anselm?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What are the origins of the ontological argument?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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