Single Idea 21241

[catalogued under 28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / a. Ontological Proof]

Full Idea

Even the fool must be convinced that a being than which none greater can be thought exists at least in his understanding, since when he hears this he understands it, and whatever is understood is in the understanding.

Gist of Idea

Even the fool can hold 'a being than which none greater exists' in his understanding

Source

Anselm (Proslogion [1090], Ch 2)

Book Reference

'The Existence of God', ed/tr. Hick,John [Macmillan 1964], p.26


A Reaction

Psalm 14.1: 'The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God'. But how does the fool interpret the words, if he has limited imagination? He might get no further than an attractive film star. He would need prompting to think of a spiritual being.

Related Ideas

Idea 21242 If that than which a greater cannot be thought actually exists, that is greater than the mere idea [Anselm]

Idea 21243 An existing thing is even greater if its non-existence is inconceivable [Anselm]