The Ontological Argument

?
  • Created by: Grace
  • Created on: 05-05-13 13:46
Who is the main proponent of the ont arg?
Anselm
1 of 11
What type of arg is the ont arg?
A priori
2 of 11
What was Anselms definition of God?
That than which nothing greater can be concievd
3 of 11
Summarise the ont arg
1. God is TTWHCGBC 2. God is an idea in the mind 3. better to exist in mind and reality than in mind alone 4. if God only exists in mind we can imagine something better that does exist 5. this contradicts gods definition 6. God exists
4 of 11
what is anslems 2nd ont proof?
1. self existence cant come into being at fixed point in time 2. self existence does not end and is not contingent upon anything else 3. GCB must have self existence 4. GCB (God) must therefore exist
5 of 11
what did descartes add to ont arg?
he could no more think of God without existence than he could think of a triangle without three sides
6 of 11
what was Gaunilos criticism of the ont arg?
you would be foolish to believe that a perfect island existed somewhere just because of its perfection
7 of 11
What did Anselm respond to Gaunilo's criticism
It is impossible to compare God to an island as an island is contingent and does not have eternal existence
8 of 11
What was one of Kant's criticisms of the ontological argument?
Kant disagreed that God must have necessary existence- If God doesn't exist in the first place then he doesn't need existence anyway- just because you can define something analytically doesn't mean it exists (e.g Unicorn one horn doesnt make it real)
9 of 11
what was another of Kant's criticisms?
Existence is not a predicate as it is quite possible to think of a being who does not exist (e.g. santa)
10 of 11
What is a final criticism of the ontological argument
Anselm's definition of God is weak. How can we know what God is like if if hasn't been experienced through the senses.
11 of 11

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What type of arg is the ont arg?

Back

A priori

Card 3

Front

What was Anselms definition of God?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Summarise the ont arg

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

what is anslems 2nd ont proof?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Religious Studies resources:

See all Religious Studies resources »See all Philosophy resources »