The Ontological Argument

This is a flash card revision to help remember the key elements of the ontological arguments.

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  • Created by: Robyn
  • Created on: 19-12-12 13:34
What does Anselm say about analytic statements?
'God exists' is analytically true as it is a statement which is beyond doubt, once you have understood the meaning of the word 'God' you must recognise that God exists as it would be incoheremnt to suggest otherwise.
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What does Anselm reflect on in his argument?
Anselm reflects on Psalm 14:1 which says "Fools say in their hearts,'There is no God' in his book Proslogion when he argues that God's existence can be 'demonstrated'
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What is Anselm's First Argument?
God is the greatest possible being which can be conceived of. God may exist in intellectu or in re, and something which exists in the mind and in reality is greater than existence in the mind alone.
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What does Anselm say about existence as a Predicate?
An intrinsic property of something, e.g. the predicate of being a widow is that' you husband has died'. God being the greatest possible thing that can be concieved so must exists as existence is a part of 'being'. Therefore his existence is analytic
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What is Anselm's Second Argument?
Something which cannot be thought not to exist is greater than anything which can be thought not to exist. Is impossible to think God does not exist as it is to contradict yourself as it implies that God must exist in reality.
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What does Anselm say about contingence and necessity?
God has 'necessary existence', as most things depend on something else for its existence. If God exists contingently then he could not be the greatest possible being.
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What does Gaunilo say about Anselm's conclusion?
to say that 'God cannot fail to exist' is unintelligible. you cannot demonstrate the existence of osmething by just having an idea bout it; you cannot prove from waht is said (de dicto) what exists in reality (de re).
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Explain Gaunilo's island.
Anyone can imagine the perfect isalnd, the most perfect island can be concieved of but doesn't necessarily exist in reality. Anselm cannot demonstrate or prove the idea of God as the greatest possible being meeans that God exists in reality.
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What does Platinga suggest about Gaunilo's island?
However great an island is, there could always be one better as there is no 'intrinsic maximum'. you can always imagine an island which has double the quantities.
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What Does Descartes say about 'the idea of God' ?
God has placed in every person 'the idea of God ; he likened this to a stamp belonging to a 'craftsman'. Demonstrating God's existence is not about proving the idea of God, it is about showing there is no reason to ever doubt that God exists.
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What does Descartes say about Triangles and God's existence?
The nature of a triangle is that it is immutable, as even if you didn't know what it was it would still be the same shape. Like a triangle, God has an 'immutable' nature. part of God's nature is that God exists,thus part of God's essence is existence
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What are Descartes three main points in the Ontological Argument?
1. God is a supremely perfect being. 2. A property of perfection is existence 3. Therefore, God exists
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What does Anselm reflect on in his argument?

Back

Anselm reflects on Psalm 14:1 which says "Fools say in their hearts,'There is no God' in his book Proslogion when he argues that God's existence can be 'demonstrated'

Card 3

Front

What is Anselm's First Argument?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What does Anselm say about existence as a Predicate?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is Anselm's Second Argument?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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Comments

TMWEe

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I would suggest improvements in spelling and grammar and that you include Kant and Malcolm's ontological argument.

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