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Single Idea 6073
[filed under theme 28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / b. Ontological Proof critique
]
Full Idea
My own suspicion about the Ontological Argument is that the fault lies in taking notions like 'the most perfect, impressive and powerful being conceivable' to be well-defined.
Gist of Idea
I think the fault of the Ontological Argument is taking the original idea to be well-defined
Source
Colin McGinn (Logical Properties [2000], Ch.2)
Book Ref
McGinn,Colin: 'Logical Properties' [OUP 2003], p.50
A Reaction
I'm tempted to put it more strongly: the single greatest challenge for the theist with intellectual integrity is to give a clear and coherent definition of God. There must be no internal contradictions, and it must be within the bounds of possibility.
The
40 ideas
from 'Logical Properties'
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6042
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The quantifier is overrated as an analytical tool
[McGinn]
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|
6054
|
Sherlock Holmes does not exist, but he is self-identical
[McGinn]
|
|
6050
|
Leibniz's Law presupposes the notion of property identity
[McGinn]
|
|
6052
|
Definitions identify two concepts, so they presuppose identity
[McGinn]
|
|
6058
|
Identity propositions are not always tautological, and have a key epistemic role
[McGinn]
|
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6053
|
Identity is as basic as any concept could ever be
[McGinn]
|
|
6043
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Type-identity is close similarity in qualities
[McGinn]
|
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6044
|
Qualitative identity is really numerical identity of properties
[McGinn]
|
|
6046
|
Qualitative identity can be analysed into numerical identity of the type involved
[McGinn]
|
|
6051
|
In 'x is F and x is G' we must assume the identity of x in the two statements
[McGinn]
|
|
6055
|
Both non-contradiction and excluded middle need identity in their formulation
[McGinn]
|
|
6059
|
Identity is unitary, indefinable, fundamental and a genuine relation
[McGinn]
|
|
6049
|
Leibniz's Law says 'x = y iff for all P, Px iff Py'
[McGinn]
|
|
6045
|
It is best to drop types of identity, and speak of 'identity' or 'resemblance'
[McGinn]
|
|
6047
|
All identity is necessary, though identity statements can be contingently true
[McGinn]
|
|
6048
|
Leibniz's Law is so fundamental that it almost defines the concept of identity
[McGinn]
|
|
6071
|
Scepticism about reality is possible because existence isn't part of appearances
[McGinn]
|
|
6072
|
If Satan is the most imperfect conceivable being, he must have non-existence
[McGinn]
|
|
6073
|
I think the fault of the Ontological Argument is taking the original idea to be well-defined
[McGinn]
|
|
6066
|
Existence is a property of all objects, but less universal than self-identity, which covers even conceivable objects
[McGinn]
|
|
6062
|
Existence can't be analysed as instantiating a property, as instantiation requires existence
[McGinn]
|
|
6065
|
We can't analyse the sentence 'something exists' in terms of instantiated properties
[McGinn]
|
|
6067
|
Existential quantifiers just express the quantity of things, leaving existence to the predicate 'exists'
[McGinn]
|
|
6069
|
'Partial quantifier' would be a better name than 'existential quantifier', as no existence would be implied
[McGinn]
|
|
6068
|
We need an Intentional Quantifier ("some of the things we talk about.."), so existence goes into the proposition
[McGinn]
|
|
6064
|
Regresses are only vicious in the context of an explanation
[McGinn]
|
|
6070
|
Existence is a primary quality, non-existence a secondary quality
[McGinn]
|
|
6075
|
Facts are object-plus-extension, or property-plus-set-of-properties, or object-plus-property
[McGinn]
|
|
6077
|
Semantics should not be based on set-membership, but on instantiation of properties in objects
[McGinn]
|
|
6074
|
Clearly predicates have extensions (applicable objects), but are the extensions part of their meaning?
[McGinn]
|
|
6080
|
Modality is not objects or properties, but the type of binding of objects to properties
[McGinn]
|
|
6079
|
If 'possible' is explained as quantification across worlds, there must be possible worlds
[McGinn]
|
|
6081
|
Necessity and possibility are big threats to the empiricist view of knowledge
[McGinn]
|
|
6082
|
If causal power is the test for reality, that will exclude necessities and possibilities
[McGinn]
|
|
6088
|
Truth is a method of deducing facts from propositions
[McGinn]
|
|
6083
|
The coherence theory of truth implies idealism, because facts are just coherent beliefs
[McGinn]
|
|
6084
|
'Snow does not fall' corresponds to snow does fall
[McGinn]
|
|
6085
|
The idea of truth is built into the idea of correspondence
[McGinn]
|
|
6086
|
Truth is the property of propositions that makes it possible to deduce facts
[McGinn]
|
|
6087
|
Without the disquotation device for truth, you could never form beliefs from others' testimony
[McGinn]
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