God’s Existence According To Anselm & Kant

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God’s Existence According to Anselm & Kant

Anselm’s ontological argument begins with the idea that God is something of which nothing greater can be conceived. He recognizes that some people say there is no God. However, while they may not believe in God, they understand that they are denying his existence. Therefore, God exists even to the nonbelievers understanding. Anselm also states that whatever is understood exists in the understanding. He also tells us that existing in reality is greater the existing only in the understanding. If existing in reality is greater, then God had better exist in reality, as well as in the understanding. Otherwise, we could conceive of something better, and God would no longer be the greatest conceivable being.

Anselm’s argument is presented to the reader in an a priori form he structures it into four main premises and a single, final conclusion, making his argument hard to object against. The premises also do not rely on experience for their validation. Anselm’s argument turns anyone who says, “I don’t believe in God.” Into a bit of a fool, and it also makes this statement one of contradiction. The fool understands the definition of God but denies that God exists.

An easier way to look at Anselm’s ontological argument is to become that fool, for a moment, and imagine that God exists in the understanding, solely. Now, given Anselm’s definition, this means that a being than which nothing greater can be conceived exists in the understanding, solely. This same being can be conceived to exist in reality. Even if we don’t believe that it is actually true, we can imagine a place where it is true. However, keeping in mind that it is greater for a thing to exist in reality than for it to exist in the understanding solely. We are almost forced to conclude that this God, which nothing greater can be imagined, can be conceived to be greater than it is. That does not make sense, so we ...