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
Even the fool can hold 'a being than which none greater exists' in his understanding
If that than which a greater cannot be thought actually exists, that is greater than the mere idea
An existing thing is even greater if its non-existence is inconceivable
Conceiving a greater being than God leads to absurdity
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
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]