Arguments based on reason

• What is ontology in philosophy?


  Study of the nature of existence
• What does the ontological argument aim to prove?


  God's existence through reason alone
• What type of argument is the ontological argument?

  A priori argument
• How do a priori arguments establish truth?

  Based on reason, not experience
• What characterizes a posteriori arguments?

  Based on sense experience and evidence
• What is an analytic proposition?


  Truth established by definition
• How is a synthetic proposition defined?


  Truth established by empirical evidence
• What did Anselm believe about God's existence?


  It is more important than any statue
• What are the two forms of Anselm's ontological argument?


  First form:

  • God is 'that than which nothing greater can be thought'.
  • Exists in the mind as an idea.
  • Therefore, God exists.

  
  

  Second form:

  • God exists as a real thing and as a concept.
  • What can be conceived cannot be conceived as not existing.
  • Therefore, God exists necessarily.
• When did Descartes live?


  Seventeenth century
• What does Descartes's ontological argument rely on?

  Clear and distinct ideas from reason
• What does Descartes argue about existence as a predicate?


  God must possess the quality of existence
• Who criticized Anselm's argument using the 'most perfect island'?


  Gaunilo
• What was Gaunilo's main argument against Anselm?

  • Imagined the 'most perfect island'.
  • Argued Anselm's logic could prove its existence.
  • Anselm replied that only God's nature is unique.
• What did Aquinas argue about God's self-evidence?


  God is not self-evident to everyone
• What did Aquinas think about existence as a predicate?


  Existence does not describe God's nature
• What did Kant argue about existence in his critique?


  Existence is not a predicate
• What were Kant's main criticisms of the ontological argument?


  • Existence is not a predicate.
  • The argument assumes God exists.
  • Adding 'exists' does not change the concept.
• What did Russell argue about statements regarding God?


  They are meaningful only if God exists