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Gaunilo Perfect Island

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Gaunilo Perfect Island
DOES GOD
EXIST
DUBIOUS GUIDE TO
PHILOSOPHY
MANEESHA
The Ontological Argument
The ontological argument , conceived by St Anselm, claims it is better to exist in reality than understanding so it would be contradictory for God (the greatest being that can be conceived) to exist only in understanding. Therefore,
God exists!
The greatest flaw in this argument, pointed out by Gaunilo in his ‘Perfect Island’ argument, is it invites parody. He argued that it’s possible to use the same form as the ontological argument to prove the existence of a perfect island; the island must exist otherwise it’s possible to conceive of an island greater than that island than which no greater can be perceived which is logically absurd. If the ontological argument works, …show more content…
Thus if Gaunilo’s argument is rejected, one may reject the ontological argument as well since we cannot point to some relevant difference between the ontological argument and the existence of the island.
However, the ontological argument can be deemed logical in so far as we perceive God as a perfect being. Following
Anselm’s premise that existence is more perfect than non-existence, we can infer existence is a condition of God’s essence since he’s perfect. Anselm’s argument doesn’t work when you consider contingent beings because the concept of ‘perfect islands’ is incoherent; if the parameters of perfection are x trees, then it’x possible to conceive of x+1 trees. The concept of God’s perfection isn’t incoherent- we all accept that a perfect God has power, knowledge and insight that have no bounds. Therefore if God is limitless, it isn’t possible to conceive greater.
Thus, given that the main criticisms of the ontological argument are not why it is wrong but why it isn’t correct , and having proved the necessity to apply this argument to necessary beings rather than contingent ones; Anselm’s argument appears persuasive.
THE TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT FOR GOD
The teleological argument is an argument championing the existence of God, the intelligent creator "based
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