Arguments based on reason

Question 1

Anselm’s ontological argument 1

Answer 1

-1. God is that than which nothing greater can be concieved.

1. It is greater to exist both in the mind and in reality than in the mind alone.
2. if so, God must exist in reality as well as in the mind.
3. SO, (2)

Question 2

Anselm’s ontological argument (2)

Answer 2

-1. A being that cannot not exist (necessary existence) is greater than a being that can not exist.
1. God is “that than which nothing greater can be conceived.”
2. if so, God must exist necessarily.
3. so, (2)

Question 3

Descartes ontological argument

Answer 3

1. God is defined as a supremely perfect being.
   Existence is a necessary attribute of perfection.
2. if so, God must exist.
3. So, (2)

Question 4

Leibniz’s ontological argument

Answer 4

Perfection is a set of all positive properties that are consistent and logically possible.
1. existence is a positive property.
2. if so, God (as the greatest possible being) must exist.
3. So, (2)

Question 5

Gaunilo’s perfect island objection to Anselm

Answer 5

1. Defining something into existence (e.g., a perfect island) is invalid.
   -If Anselm’s reasoning is valid, it would also prove the existence of a perfect island simply by defining it as the greatest conceivable island.
2. if so, Anselm’s argument is flawed.
3. So, (2)

Question 6

Kant’s critique of existence as a predicate

Answer 6

1. existence is not a real predicate.
2. if so, Descartes’ argument fails.
3. So, (2)

Question 7

Hume’s critique of neccessary existence

Answer 7

1. Anything that can be conceived as existing can also be conceived as not existing.
2. if so, then there is no such thing as “necessary existence.”
3. So, (2)

Question 8

Response to Gaunilo’s Perfect Island (Anselm)

Answer 8

Anselm argues that the concept of a “perfect island” is not analogous to God. An island is contingent and does not have the necessity of existence, whereas God is a necessary being by definition.

Question 9

Response to Kant’s Critique of Existence as a Predicate

Answer 9

Some philosophers, such as Norman Malcolm, argue that necessary existence is a unique predicate and is valid when discussing a necessary being like God.

Question 10

Response to Hume’s Critique of Necessary Existence

Answer 10

Alvin Plantinga defends the concept of necessary existence, arguing that it applies uniquely to God as the maximally great being.