2.1 The Ontological Argument
3 min read•august 16, 2024
The ontological argument is a philosophical attempt to prove 's through reason alone. It defines God as the greatest conceivable being and argues that such a being must exist in reality, not just in thought.
This argument is part of broader efforts to rationally demonstrate God's existence. Unlike other approaches that rely on empirical evidence, the ontological argument uses logic to argue that God's existence is a necessary truth.
Ontological Argument: Premises and Structure
Foundational Concepts
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Introduction to Philosophy: Philosophy of Religion – Simple Book Publishing View original
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Does God Exist? A review of Descartes' Ontological Argument View original
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- Ontological argument attempts to prove God's existence through reason alone without empirical evidence (a priori reasoning)
- First formulated by Anselm of Canterbury in 11th century
- Defines God as "that than which nothing greater can be conceived"
- Posits concept of God as a perfect being necessarily includes existence
- Being that exists considered greater than one that does not
- Moves from definition of God to that God must exist in reality, not just in mind
- Attempts to demonstrate denying God's existence leads to logical contradiction
- Would mean conceiving being greater than greatest conceivable being
Historical Developments
- Descartes reformulated argument in 17th century
- Compared God's existence to essence of a triangle
- Argued existence necessary property of perfect being
- Modern versions use possible worlds semantics
- Plantinga's argues for necessity of God's existence
- Explores God's existence across all possible worlds
Logical Structure
- 1: God defined as maximally great being
- Premise 2: Maximal greatness includes necessary existence
- Premise 3: It is possible that a maximally great being exists
- Conclusion: Therefore, a maximally great being (God) necessarily exists in reality
- Argument structure aims to show God's existence logically follows from definition and possibility
- Relies on modal logic and concepts of possibility and necessity
Ontological Argument: Strengths vs Weaknesses
Strengths of the Argument
- A priori nature makes it immune to empirical counterevidence
- Appeals to power of pure reason in establishing truths about reality
- Logical structure, if sound, provides powerful proof independent of contingent facts
- Inspired centuries of philosophical debate and refinement
- Demonstrates enduring significance in philosophy of religion
- Modern reformulations using modal logic increased resilience to traditional objections
- Addresses some criticisms of classical versions
- Attempts to establish God's existence as necessary truth
- Implies God exists in all possible worlds
Weaknesses and Criticisms
- Critics argue illegitimate leap from conceptual to actual existence
- "Existence is not a predicate" objection (Kant)
- Definition of God contentious and potentially question-begging
- Assumes what it seeks to prove
- Fails to convince many philosophers and logicians
- Various logical flaws identified in premises or structure
- Challenges distinction between abstract concepts and concrete reality
- Raises questions about nature of existence and conceptual analysis
- Relies on controversial philosophical assumptions
- Nature of possibility, necessity, and
- Struggles with parody arguments
- Similar logic applied to prove existence of other entities (perfect island)
Ontological Argument: Implications for God
Theological Implications
- Establishes God's existence as necessary truth if successful
- God exists in all possible worlds
- Implies God's existence analytically true
- True by definition
- Significant for religious epistemology
- Provides rational foundation for theism independent of religious experience or revelation
- Influences discussions about divine attributes
- Omniscience, omnipotence, omnibenevolence
- Raises questions about nature of perfection
- Whether existence can be considered perfection or predicate
Philosophical Ramifications
- Challenges relationship between thought and reality
- Suggests unique ontological status for concept of God
- Impacts discussions on nature of existence and being
- Ontological status of abstract vs concrete entities
- Influences debates on limits and powers of reason in metaphysics
- Ability of logic to establish truths about reality
- Raises questions about nature of possibility and necessity
- Implications for modal logic and metaphysics
- Affects understanding of relationship between faith and reason in religious thought
- Role of rational argument in establishing religious truths
Key Terms to Review (20)
A priori argument: An a priori argument is a type of reasoning that is based on concepts and knowledge that can be understood independently of experience. This kind of argument relies on logic and rational deduction rather than empirical evidence to draw conclusions about existence or the nature of things, particularly in the realm of metaphysics and theology.
Anselm's Ontological Argument: Anselm's Ontological Argument is a philosophical argument that attempts to prove the existence of God through the concept of God itself. It suggests that if we can conceive of a greatest being—one which nothing greater can be imagined—then that being must exist in reality, because existing in reality is greater than existing merely in the understanding. This argument highlights the relationship between understanding, existence, and the nature of perfection.
Conclusion: In philosophy, particularly in arguments, a conclusion is the statement or proposition that follows logically from the premises presented. It serves as the final point that encapsulates the result of reasoning, asserting what one derives from the given premises. The strength of the conclusion depends on the validity and soundness of the argument leading to it, establishing a crucial link between initial assertions and their implications.
Contingent being: A contingent being is something that exists but does not have to exist; its existence is dependent on something else. This idea contrasts with a necessary being, which must exist and cannot not exist. In discussions about existence, particularly in metaphysics and the philosophy of religion, contingent beings are crucial because they raise questions about causation, necessity, and the nature of existence itself.
Descartes' Ontological Argument: Descartes' Ontological Argument is a philosophical reasoning that asserts the existence of God based on the concept of God as a supremely perfect being. The argument posits that existence is a necessary attribute of perfection, thus if we can conceive of God as the greatest possible being, He must exist in reality since a God who exists is more perfect than one who does not. This highlights the interplay between understanding and existence in Descartes' thought.
Divine Simplicity: Divine simplicity is the philosophical and theological concept that God is not composed of parts or attributes but is wholly simple and unified in nature. This idea suggests that God's attributes—such as omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence—are not separate qualities but rather expressions of the single essence of God, highlighting His fundamental unity and indivisibility.
Enlightenment thought: Enlightenment thought refers to a philosophical movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. This period fostered new ideas about knowledge, ethics, and governance, challenging established norms and encouraging critical thinking. Enlightenment thinkers laid the groundwork for modern concepts of democracy, human rights, and rationalism, which have profoundly influenced religious discourse and the development of arguments such as the Ontological Argument.
Existence: Existence refers to the state of being or having reality, particularly in relation to entities, concepts, and phenomena. In philosophical discussions, especially within arguments for the existence of God, it becomes a crucial topic as it raises questions about what it means for something to exist and how existence can be proven or understood, often leading to debates about necessary versus contingent existence.
Gaunilo's Criticism: Gaunilo's Criticism is an argument made by the monk Gaunilo of Marmoutiers in the 11th century against the Ontological Argument for the existence of God. Gaunilo proposed that if one could conceive of the greatest possible being (God), then one could also conceive of the greatest possible island, suggesting that existence cannot be simply defined by perfect qualities or concepts. This critique highlights the problem of defining existence as a predicate and challenges the validity of the Ontological Argument's logic.
God: In philosophical discourse, particularly within the context of the Ontological Argument, 'god' refers to a supreme being or a necessary being that is perfect, all-knowing, and the ultimate cause of all existence. This concept emphasizes that god's existence is not contingent upon anything else, but rather is intrinsic and self-sustaining, which plays a crucial role in various arguments for the existence of god.
Kant's Critique of Existence: Kant's Critique of Existence refers to his philosophical argument that existence is not a predicate or property that can be attributed to a being in the same way as other qualities. This critique significantly impacts the Ontological Argument, as it challenges the idea that we can define God into existence simply by asserting that a perfect being must exist.
Medieval philosophy: Medieval philosophy refers to the philosophical thought that emerged during the Middle Ages, roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century, which sought to reconcile faith and reason within a religious context. It was marked by the influence of early Christian thinkers, Islamic philosophers, and Jewish scholars, who collectively engaged with classical Greek philosophy while addressing theological issues, metaphysics, ethics, and the nature of existence. This period gave rise to significant arguments regarding morality, the existence of God, and the foundational principles of natural law.
Modal ontological argument: The modal ontological argument is a philosophical argument for the existence of God that uses modal logic to claim that if it is possible for God to exist, then God necessarily exists. This argument builds on the classic ontological argument by introducing the concept of necessity and possibility, suggesting that God's existence is not just a possibility but an essential reality.
Necessary Being: A necessary being is a being whose existence is not contingent upon anything else, meaning it must exist and cannot not exist. This concept is crucial in discussions of existence and causation, particularly in arguments for the existence of God, where a necessary being is often posited as the ultimate cause of everything that exists. Understanding necessary being helps to distinguish between beings that rely on other entities for their existence and those that stand as fundamental to reality itself.
Perfection: Perfection refers to a state of completeness or flawlessness, often associated with the highest ideal of goodness, beauty, or quality. In philosophical discussions, particularly in the context of arguments for the existence of God, perfection is seen as a key attribute that characterizes the divine being, suggesting that God embodies the ultimate standard of excellence and lacks any deficiencies.
Plantinga's Version: Plantinga's version refers to the modern reformulation of the ontological argument for God's existence, proposed by philosopher Alvin Plantinga. This argument is grounded in modal logic, suggesting that if it is possible that a maximally great being exists, then such a being must exist in some possible world, and therefore in all possible worlds, including our own.
Premise: A premise is a foundational statement or proposition that serves as a starting point for an argument or reasoning. In philosophical discussions, especially those involving arguments, premises provide the support needed to arrive at a conclusion, making them crucial for understanding the structure and validity of the argument.
René Descartes: René Descartes was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist, often referred to as the father of modern philosophy. His work laid the groundwork for the development of rationalism and significantly influenced various areas, particularly metaphysics and epistemology. Descartes is best known for his formulation of the ontological argument for the existence of God, which posits that the very concept of a perfect being necessitates its existence.
St. Anselm: St. Anselm was an Italian Benedictine monk, philosopher, and theologian who lived from 1033 to 1109. He is best known for formulating the Ontological Argument for the existence of God, which posits that the very concept of a greatest conceivable being implies its existence in reality. His work laid foundational ideas in medieval philosophy and theology, emphasizing faith seeking understanding.
The nature of god: The nature of god refers to the essential characteristics and attributes that define the concept of a deity, including omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence. These attributes help shape the understanding of god's existence, relationship to the world, and the implications for human morality and existence. In philosophical discussions, particularly in relation to arguments for god's existence, exploring these attributes becomes crucial for analyzing how they inform and underpin various theological claims.