Ideas from 'Proslogion' by Anselm [1090], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Classics of Western Philosophy (3rd Edn)' (ed/tr Cahn,Steven M.) [Hackett 1990,0-87220-105-8]].

green numbers give full details    |     back to texts     |     expand these ideas


28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / a. Ontological Proof
Conceiving a greater being than God leads to absurdity
If that than which a greater cannot be thought actually exists, that is greater than the mere idea
Even the fool can hold 'a being than which none greater exists' in his understanding
A perfection must be independent and unlimited, and the necessary existence of Anselm's second proof gives this [Malcolm]
The word 'God' can be denied, but understanding shows God must exist
Guanilo says a supremely fertile island must exist, just because we can conceive it
Nonexistence is impossible for the greatest thinkable thing, which has no beginning or end
An existing thing is even greater if its non-existence is inconceivable
28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / b. Ontological Proof critique
Anselm's first proof fails because existence isn't a real predicate, so it can't be a perfection [Malcolm]