Explain the Ontological Argument from Anselm's perspective.
In this essay I shall describe Anselm’s ontological argument and look at how it may prove Gods existence. I will then go on to look at criticisms of the argument from both Gaunilo and Kant to see if they can show that the argument does not work and if not, why not.The Ontological Argument for the Existence of God The ontological argument is an a priori argument. The arguments attempt to prove God's existence from the meaning of the word God. The ontological argument was introduced by Anselm of Canterbury in his book Proslogion. Anselm's classical argument was based on two principals and the two most involved in this is St Anselm of Canterbury as.The Ontological Argument. Anselm's argument together with Gaunilo's, Aquinas' and Kant's objections are conveniently summarized by Kenneth Einar Himma in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. This entry is a good place to start for clarification of the above notes to the argument.
Ontological Argument (Criticisms) Gaunilo. One of the earliest recorded objections to Anselm’s argument was raised by one of Anselm’s contemporaries, Gaunilo of Marmoutiers. He invited his reader to conceive an island “more excellent” than any other island. He suggested that, according to Anselm’s proof, this island must necessarily exist, as an island that exists would be more.The ontological argument is widely thought to have been first clearly articulated by St. Anselm of Canterbury, who defined God as the greatest conceivable being. Anselm’s reasoning was that, if a being existed only in the mind but not in reality, then a greater being was conceivable (a being which exists both in the mind and in reality).
St. Anselm 's Ontological Argument On The Existence Of God Is Sound “God” is defined as the greatest being in this argument. St. Anselm’s Ontological Argument on the existence of God is sound, but since ontological arguments are conceptual, one must approach soundness away from the classical guidelines.
