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Questions and Answers
What is the first premise of Anselm's Ontological Argument?
What is the first premise of Anselm's Ontological Argument?
- Existence is a characteristic of being.
- The perfect island is the greatest being.
- God exists only in the understanding.
- God is greater than anything anyone could ever conceive of. (correct)
The Perfect Island Objection argues that the ontological argument is too broad.
The Perfect Island Objection argues that the ontological argument is too broad.
True (A)
What is Anselm's reply to the Perfect Island Objection?
What is Anselm's reply to the Perfect Island Objection?
The argument is not too broad; it only applies to God, who is greater than all things in all categories.
What is the second objection to Anselm's Ontological Argument about existence?
What is the second objection to Anselm's Ontological Argument about existence?
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According to Anselm, God exists in both ______ and in the ______.
According to Anselm, God exists in both ______ and in the ______.
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Study Notes
Anselm's Ontological Argument
- Defines God as the greatest conceivable being, greater than anything else.
- Asserts that even a fool acknowledges this definition of God.
- Proposes that God exists in the understanding, a notion recognized universally.
- Claims existing in reality is superior to mere existence in understanding.
- If God exists only in understanding, one could conceive a greater being that exists in reality, which contradicts the definition of God.
- Concludes that God must exist in both reality and understanding to avoid this contradiction.
Objections to the Ontological Argument
- Two main objections arise against Anselm's reasoning.
- The "Perfect Island" objection and the problem of using 'existence' as a quality.
Perfect Island Objection
- Targets the first premise's claim about God being the greatest conceivable being.
- Guanillo suggests substituting "God" with "The Perfect Island" to claim its existence similarly.
- Argues that if the argument applies to God, it could also be extended to any being, including an ideal island.
Anselm's Reply to the Perfect Island Objection
- Anselm counters that his argument is specifically applicable to God, not other concepts.
- Emphasizes that God is not just the greatest of a category, but greater than all conceivable beings across all categories.
Problem of Using 'Existence' as a Characteristic
- Addresses an objection concerning the fourth premise about reality being superior to understanding.
- Critics argue Anselm misuses 'existence', treating it like an additive quality rather than an inherent aspect.
- Highlights that existence cannot simply enhance the greatness of a concept as if it were an ingredient.
- Anselm's cosmological arguments further examine the workings of the universe, distinct from the ontological stance.
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