Single Idea 5187

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

Full Idea

When we ascribe an attribute to a thing, we covertly assert that it exists.

Gist of Idea

When we ascribe an attribute to a thing, we covertly assert that it exists

Source

A.J. Ayer (Language,Truth and Logic [1936], Ch.1)

Book Reference

Ayer,A.J.: 'Language, Truth and Logic' [Penguin 1974], p.58


A Reaction

This is an unsurprising endorsement from logical positivism that Kant's claim that the ontological argument is probably tautological is correct. We could of course say "Imagine a non-existent being with dirty toenails".