ontological argument

what does ontology mean

belief about the nature of experience / being

what type of argument is it

a-priori = based on logic rather than experience

what conclusion does it offer

deductive = definitive conclusion

what does its analytic nature mean

true by definition

what is reductio ad absurdu

reducing the atheist position

what is the definition in stage 1

god is that being than which nothing greater can be conceived

what is stage 1 of the argument

• it is greater (or more perfect) to exist in reality than merely as an idea

• if god does not exist then we cannot conceive of a greater being

• god must exist in reality

what is gaunilo’s criticism of stage 1

• this logic can apply to almost anything

• cannot imagine something into existence

• imagine a ‘perfect’ island

• does not mean it exists

what is stage 2 of the argument

• god is a neccessary being

• island’s are contingent

• de dicto necessary = necessary by definiton

• cannot compare god and an island

what dis descartes say

• god = necessary - predicate (like the triangle)

• god is necessary

• god must exist

• god is ‘supremely perfect’

what did norman malcom say

• god is either necessary or impossible

• necessary = cannot not exist

what did alvin plantinga say

• re-states first stage of the argument

• god would be god of all worlds

• ‘being of maximal excellence’

general criticsms of the ontological argument

• cannot define something into existence

• process does not work

• have to accept that specific definition