2 ESSAY PLANS IN THIS BUNDLE
These essay plans helped me get an A* overall in OCR Philosophy & Ethics (Full Marks on ethics paper).
Essay plans discussing the complexities surrounding arguments from reason. The essay plans have a particular focus on AO1, so that students are able to learn thi...
To what extent is the ontological argument successful in proving the existence of God?
Introduction
Define: Ontological- Arguments based on reason.
A priori arguments: Arguments which draw conclusions through the use of reason.
Importance: It claims that simply by thinking logically about what we understand to be the nature of
God and what the implications of that must be, we can deduce that there must be such a God-
anything that claims to have the ability to prove God is going to be looked at as significant.
Conclusion: Unsuccessful in proving the existence of God- meant to be a deductive argument.
Paragraph 1
Point: Anselm unsuccessfully attempts to create an ontological argument to prove the existence of
God which Gaunilo debunks by criticising his attempt to define God into existence.
Argument: Anselm’s First form argument (Proslogion, 1077-8): Premise 1- God is that than which no
greater can be conceived. Premise 2- It is greater to exist in reality as well as in the mind. Conclusion:
Hence there is no doubt there exists a being than that which no greater can be conceived and it
exists in reality and in the mind.
Analytic statements: true by definition- ‘bachelors are unmarried men’. Anselm claims ‘God exists’ is
analytic- concept of God includes concept of existence. Quote: ‘Why, then, did the fool say in his
heart ‘God is not’ since it is so obvious to the rational mind that you exist supremely above all
things’.
Counterargument: Gaunilo was Christian but thought Anselm’s argument was illogical. He swapped
the idea of God with an Island. ‘In Behalf of the Fool’ (1078), he said with such an argument you can
define anything into existence- ‘Imagine a perfect island that than which no greater can be
conceived. If you wanted to go to it, it will not be there.
Counterargument (To First Counterargument): Anselm- God is independent and necessary, Islands
are dependent and contingent. Plantinga (20 th Century) supports Anselm by saying that islands have
no intrinsic maximums, you could always add one more ‘dancing girl’.
Paragraph 2
Point: Descartes unsuccessfully attempts to reinforce Anselm’s ontological but it does not survive
Russell and Kant’s criticisms.
Argument: Descartes claimed that existence was analytically necessary to God as three sides and
three angles adding up to 180 degrees is to a triangle and a valley is to a mountain in Meditations
(1641). For Descartes, God must have existence to be a supremely perfect being because existence is
perfection.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller temitayoogunbayo. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £3.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.