The existence of God is, and has been, a very highly debated philosophical argument that has bewildered philosophers since even before the age of ‘Enlightenment.’ Many of the different arguments put forth have not adequately proven God’s existence, although, in order to move forward, failed arguments must be studied to ensure that mistakes are not repeated. One such argument is that of Saint Anselm’s Ontological Argument.
Anselm’s ontological argument is about the fact that nothing greater than God can be imagined. This is a claim that has many complications around it. Anselm believes it to be true that God exists as an idea in the mind. If God exists as an idea in the mind, then theoretically it should be possible for something greater than God to exist. Although, for Anselm, God is believed to be the greatest possible being that can be imagined. Therefore, it would be a contradiction to say that something greater than the greatest possible thing that can be imagined exists. This leads us to Anselm’s conclusion that God exists. Gaunilo of Marmoutier criticizes this argument and …show more content…
Jeff Speaks does a fantastic job of outlining this analogy with Anselm’s ontological argument. It goes as follows:
Anselm’s ontological argument:
1. God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived.
2. God exists in the mind, but not in reality.
3. Existence in reality is greater than existence in the understanding alone.
4. It is conceivable that God exists in reality.
5. It is conceivable that there is a being greater than God.
C. It is conceivable that there is a being greater than that than which nothing greater can be conceived.
Gaunilo’s ‘Lost Island’ argument:
1. The Lost Island is that than which no greater island can be conceived.
2. The Lost Island exists in the mind, but not in
Anselm’s ontological argument is about the fact that nothing greater than God can be imagined. This is a claim that has many complications around it. Anselm believes it to be true that God exists as an idea in the mind. If God exists as an idea in the mind, then theoretically it should be possible for something greater than God to exist. Although, for Anselm, God is believed to be the greatest possible being that can be imagined. Therefore, it would be a contradiction to say that something greater than the greatest possible thing that can be imagined exists. This leads us to Anselm’s conclusion that God exists. Gaunilo of Marmoutier criticizes this argument and …show more content…
Jeff Speaks does a fantastic job of outlining this analogy with Anselm’s ontological argument. It goes as follows:
Anselm’s ontological argument:
1. God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived.
2. God exists in the mind, but not in reality.
3. Existence in reality is greater than existence in the understanding alone.
4. It is conceivable that God exists in reality.
5. It is conceivable that there is a being greater than God.
C. It is conceivable that there is a being greater than that than which nothing greater can be conceived.
Gaunilo’s ‘Lost Island’ argument:
1. The Lost Island is that than which no greater island can be conceived.
2. The Lost Island exists in the mind, but not in