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Single Idea 3638

[from 'Meditations' by René Descartes, in 28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / b. Ontological Proof critique ]

Full Idea

Existence is not a perfection in God or in anything else; it is that without which no perfections can be present.

Gist of Idea

Existence is not a perfection; it is what makes perfection possible

Source

comment on René Descartes (Meditations [1641], §5.67) by Pierre Gassendi - Objections to 'Meditations' (Fifth) 323

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Meditations on First Philosophy etc.', ed/tr. Cottingham,John [CUP 1986], p.96