The Ontological Argument
drcraigvideos・2 minutes read
The ontological argument by Anselm of Canterbury posits that if it's possible for God to exist, then He must exist as a maximally great being, countering objections about the coherence of this concept and highlighting the necessity of God's existence based on His greatness.
Insights
- Anselm of Canterbury introduced the ontological argument, positing that if God's existence is possible, then it is necessary due to His maximal greatness, defined as all-powerful, all-knowing, and morally perfect in every conceivable world.
- The argument counters atheistic views by asserting that if God can exist in any possible world, He must exist in all, including the actual world, emphasizing the essential nature of God's existence rooted in His supreme attributes.
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Recent questions
What is the ontological argument?
A: The ontological argument posits that if it's possible for God to exist, then God must exist as a maximally great being who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and morally perfect in every possible world.
What is the objection to the ontological argument?
A: An objection to the ontological argument questions the coherence of the concept of a maximally great being, comparing it to absurd ideas like a married bachelor.
Is the idea of God intuitively coherent?
A: Yes, the idea of God is deemed intuitively coherent, making His existence a possibility according to the ontological argument.
How does the ontological argument refute atheism?
A: The ontological argument refutes the atheist's stance by asserting that if God possibly exists in any possible world, then He exists in every possible world, including the actual world, emphasizing the necessity for God's existence based on His maximal greatness.
Why is God's existence necessary according to the ontological argument?
A: God's existence is deemed necessary according to the ontological argument because if God possibly exists in any possible world, then He exists in every possible world, including the actual world, based on His maximal greatness.
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Summary
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"Anselm's Ontological Argument: God's Necessary Existence"
- In 1078, Anselm of Canterbury introduced the ontological argument, stating that if it's possible for God to exist, then God must exist, defining God as a maximally great being who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and morally perfect in every possible world.
- An objection to this argument questions the coherence of the concept of a maximally great being, comparing it to absurd ideas like a married bachelor. However, the idea of God is deemed intuitively coherent, making His existence a possibility according to the ontological argument.
- The argument refutes the atheist's stance by asserting that if God possibly exists in any possible world, then He exists in every possible world, including the actual world, emphasizing the necessity for God's existence based on His maximal greatness.
