Essay plans
Ontological argument for existence of God
P1: Anslem -proslogion
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By definition, God is ‘that which no greater can be conceived’
Existence is better in rei rather than in intellectu.
Therefore, by definition, God exists
P2: Gaunilo – on behalf of the fool
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I can think of a perfect island so it must exist.
Gaunilo fails to see a difference between an island and god.
Anslem replies ‘an island is a finite, limited thing’
Gaunilo is wrong and the argument still stands
P3: Descartes
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God is perfect so would have the best of every quality
Assumes existence as a predicate
Greater for god to have existence than not
Therefore god exists.
P3: Kant
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Existence is not a predicate (it is not a property a thing can have)
To say something exists doesn’t add anything to the concept of it.
God is not greater or worse depending on his existence, therefore the argument fails
Conclusion
Anslem gives good argument however where him and Descartes fall short is that their arguments are founded on the
assumption that existence is a property that can be given and taken from an object. God is no greater by existing
physically as he is the same concept.
Soul