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Ontological Argument Summary
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Ontological ArgumentThe existence of God is regarded as a characteristic of God
The argument is a priori argument- An a priori argument is one where certain basic
principles are assumed to be true
This can be associated with Anslem (1033-1109)
One cannot think of God as not existing since existence is essential to the very idea of God.
The Ontological Argument is concerned solely with the existence of God
Plantinga’s Ontological Argument:
His argument implements the notion of possible worlds. This is the test for logical
impossibility we can think of a possible world in which the statement is true. For a
statement to be logically necessary it would have to be true in all possible worlds.
Summary:
1. There is a possible world, in which there exists a being with maximal greatness and
excellence
2. Therefore, in any possible world this being has maximal excellence.
3. Our world is a possible world (since our world exists)
4. Therefore, in our world there is the being.
Norman Malcolm:
His argument runs as follows:
1. If God exists, his existence is necessary
2. If God does not exist, his existence is impossible
3. His existence is either necessary or impossible
4. His existence is not impossible
5. Therefore, God necessarily exists
A Priori Argument
• Based on the premise of existence
• If God is God, then He exists- therefore God must exist
• God is defined: a Necessary being and a Perfect being
• The argument is based on “de dicto”- the very idea of God means that He exists
A Conceptual Argument
• God is described as the: perfect, necessary being
• In order to be a perfect and necessary being- he must exist
• The non-existence of a perfect and necessary being is illogical
• If God is God- then He exists
“Ontos”
• The word “ontos” means -> being and nature
• The argument rests on what is defined as the being and nature of God
• God’s character/ characteristics are central to the argument
• One of God’s necessary characteristics is existence
• Therefore- God necessarily exists
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