Unit 2: Arguments relating to the existence
of God.
• Ontological arguments.
• The argument from design.
• The cosmological argument.
The Ontological Argument
The Field of Ontology
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Explores what it means for something to exist.
It is an a priori argument – works from first
principles and definitions to demonstrate the
existence of God.
It works on the principle that God’s existence is
different to human existence.
Humans are contingent beings – dependent on other
things for their existence.
God has necessary existence – dependent on nothing
for his existence.
Historical Context
Scholars in support:
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St Anselm (1033-1109)
Descartes (1596-1650)
Liebniz (1626-1716)
Malcolm (1911-1990)
Plantinga (1932-present)
Scholars in opposition:
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Gaunilo (11th Century)
Aquinas (1225-1274)
Kant (1724-1804)
Anselm
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Argument started from a theistic stance.
In his book the ‘Proslogion’ he suggests one way in
which the existence of God could be ‘demonstrated’
to people.
The argument is from a ‘faith seeking understanding’
rather than an attempt to convert the atheist.
Anselm was responding to Psalms 14 and 53 which
begin ‘The Fool says to himself ‘There is no God’’.
Psalm 14
The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are
vile; there is no one who does good.
Anselm’s first ontological argument
‘We believe that thou art that which we believe. And we
believe that thou art a being which nothing greater can
be conceived….And assuredly that than which nothing
greater can be conceived, cannot exist in the
understanding alone. For, suppose it exists in the
understanding alone: then it can be conceived to exist in
reality; which is greater….Hence there is no doubt that
there exists a being, than which nothing greater can be
conceived, and it exists both in understanding and in
reality.’
Anselm’s ontological argument is set out as follows:
1. God is the greatest possible being (a being than which
nothing greater can be conceived).
2. God exists at least in the mind or understanding.
3. A being who exists only in the mind is not as great as a
being who exists in reality as well as the mind.
4. If God existed only in the mind, he would not be the
greatest possible being.
5. Therefore God must exist in reality as well as in the mind.
The Argument Explained
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Anselm began with his definition of God,
which says it is impossible for there to be a
more perfect being.
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‘God is a being than which nothing greater
can be conceived’.
Anselm.
The Argument
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Premise 1: God is a being than which nothing
greater can be conceived.
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Premise 2: Something that really exists is
bound to be greater than something that just
exists in thought.
The argument continued….
Premise 3: If there really is no being greater than God ,
God cannot only exist as a concept (in the mind).
Conclusion: Therefore God exists both in the mind and
in reality.
God
+
God
Key Quote
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‘ Why then, did the fool say in his heart ‘God
is not’ , since it is so obvious to the rational
mind that you exist supremely above all
things’.
Anselm.
Reflections
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Ontological argument: A play on words? Or
sound rational argument?
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Can you see any problems with the argument
so far?
Task
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Explain Anselm’s first ontological argument.
Homework
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Read through your notes on the concept of
God.
I will email you a set of exam questions on
that unit to complete in my absence on
Thursday this week and continue for
homework.