Ontological Argument Research Paper
Ontological Argument Essay
A:Explain the traditional forms of the Ontological argument as put forward by Anselm and Descartes:
When considering an argument for God, the ontological argument is one of the most intriguing. Mainly because of it's a priori nature, differing from other popular theological arguments which are a posteriori such as the cosmological argument. This means the ontological argument is understood to be true analytically on its own terms without an appeal to experience. Because it does not depend on empirical findings, it - if it is valid - is absolutely certain. Furthermore, the argument intends to prove a supreme being, one which is good and omniscient, and not merely a vague “first cause.” In this essay i shall explain the argument formulated by Anselm, as well as the advancement put forth by Descartes.
St Anselm of Canterbury was a theologian, philosopher, and author of the proslogian in which the first known formulation of the ontological argument for the existence …show more content…
Certainly, the idea of God, or a supremely perfect being, is one which i find within me just as surely as the idea of any shape or number. And my understating that it belongs to his nature that he always exists is no less clear and distinct that is the case when i prove of any shape or number that some property belongs to its nature. Hence, even if it turned out that not everything on which i have meditated in these past days is true, I ought still to regard the existence of God as having at least the same level of certainty as I have hither to attributed to the truths of mathematics.' Page 45 of The Fifth Meditation -
A:Explain the traditional forms of the Ontological argument as put forward by Anselm and Descartes:
When considering an argument for God, the ontological argument is one of the most intriguing. Mainly because of it's a priori nature, differing from other popular theological arguments which are a posteriori such as the cosmological argument. This means the ontological argument is understood to be true analytically on its own terms without an appeal to experience. Because it does not depend on empirical findings, it - if it is valid - is absolutely certain. Furthermore, the argument intends to prove a supreme being, one which is good and omniscient, and not merely a vague “first cause.” In this essay i shall explain the argument formulated by Anselm, as well as the advancement put forth by Descartes.
St Anselm of Canterbury was a theologian, philosopher, and author of the proslogian in which the first known formulation of the ontological argument for the existence …show more content…
Certainly, the idea of God, or a supremely perfect being, is one which i find within me just as surely as the idea of any shape or number. And my understating that it belongs to his nature that he always exists is no less clear and distinct that is the case when i prove of any shape or number that some property belongs to its nature. Hence, even if it turned out that not everything on which i have meditated in these past days is true, I ought still to regard the existence of God as having at least the same level of certainty as I have hither to attributed to the truths of mathematics.' Page 45 of The Fifth Meditation -