Malcolm's ontological

main aim

to prove that God exists necessarily

necessary existence

describes a being whose non-existence is impossible, a being which must exist

modal

relating to necessity, possibility and impossibility

premise one

God is not a limited or contingent being

conclusion one

so God cannot begin to exist or cease to exist

conclusion two

so if God does not exist, then his existence is impossible

conclusion three

and if God does exist, then his existence is necessary

conclusion four

so either God’s existence is impossible or necessary

premise two

the concept of God is logically coherent

conclusion five

so, God’s existence is not impossible

conclusion six

therefore God’s existence is necessary

conclusion sevens

so God must exist

development one

Malcolm’s argument is a deductive argument which uses premises known a priori, so if it succeeds then the conclusion follows necessarily