The word ‘ontology’ is a Greek word relating to the concept of being. The ontological argument itself therefore an a priori argument that argues the existence of God by saying that He must necessarily exist. This argument is very important for religious believers, but has come under criticism from those who do not believe who say that it is flawed.

St Anselm introduced the first form of the argument in his book Proslogion and claimed that God was “aliquid quo nihil maius cogitari possit” which means nothing greater can be conceived.

In the next stage of Anselm’s argument, he wanted to demonstrate that it is impossible to conceive of God not existing. God is eternal and, therefore, must be. Anselm felt that he had demonstrated not only the existence of God but also that his existence is “necessa

Therefore, it is evident that, despite some convincing elements within this argument, it only serves to strengthen a believer’s faith with no value for the non-believer. Final analysis would reveal that Kant’s criticism is probably the most accurate interpretation of this argument.

Of course Gaunilo has a point: If the idea that a type of thing “than which no greater could be conceived” must necessarily exist, might this not apply to the most perfect potato or the greatest monkey? Aquinas says not, claiming that these are material things that go in and out of existence, unlike God.

Gaunilo opposed Anselm, putting forward his own argument of the most perfect island. He said that if you were to believe this island must exist because of its perfection then you are a fool. By this, Gaunilo is trying to criticize the process by which Anselm moves from his definition of God to his suggestion of God’s existence.

Some topics in this essay:
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