'I Think, Therefore God Exists' | The Ontological Argument (AFG #5)
Alex O'Connor・12 minutes read
Anselm of Canterbury proposed the ontological argument for God's existence based on rationality alone, defining God as a maximally great being. Challenges arise with paradoxes of omnipotence and omniscience, and the concept of a morally perfect being hinges on pre-existing ideas of objective morality, raising questions about the argument's validity.
Insights
- The ontological argument proposed by Anselm of Canterbury in the 11th century defines God as a maximally great being with omnipotence, omniscience, and moral perfection in every possible world, but challenges arise due to paradoxes of omnipotence and omniscience.
- Thomas Aquinas, a prominent theologian, rejected the ontological argument, suggesting that belief in God can stand independently of this specific rationale, emphasizing the need to consider alternative perspectives and arguments in discussions about God's existence.
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Recent questions
What is the ontological argument for God's existence?
It is based on rationality and defines God as maximally great.