Single Idea 21244

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

Full Idea

If some mind could think of something better than thou, the creature would rise above the Creator and judge its Creator; but this is altogether absurd.

Gist of Idea

Conceiving a greater being than God leads to absurdity

Source

Anselm (Proslogion [1090], Ch 3)

Book Reference

'The Existence of God', ed/tr. Hick,John [Macmillan 1964], p.26


A Reaction

An error, revealing a certain desperation. If a greafer being could be conceived than the being so far imagined as God (a necessarily existing being), that being would BE God, by his own argument (and not some arrogant 'creature').

Related Idea

Idea 21243 An existing thing is even greater if its non-existence is inconceivable [Anselm]