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 defin

It may be easier to look at Kant’s objection in premise- conclusion form. Premise 1, Property is something that adds to or alters our idea of a subject. Premise 2, if “A” is greater then “B”, then your idea of “A” must, somehow be greater then your idea of “B”. Premise 3, If “A” is greater then “B” then “A” has at least one property different then “B”. Premise 4, saying something exists doesn’t alter our idea of it in any way. Existence does not add a property to “A”. Premise 5, “A” cannot be greater then “B” just because “A” exists and “B” does not exist. Conclusion, A greatest conceivable being that exists in reality is not greater than one that exists only in the understanding. Again this falsifies Anselm’s premise 3, which states, whatever exists is reality, and understanding is greater then that which exists only in the understanding.

Although Anselm has presented a strong argument as to why God does exist, a Philosopher by the name of Immanuel Kant found a reason why Anselm’s argument may not provide the final answer to the question of God’s existence. In Kant’s argument the main issue at hand is the meaning

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