Single Idea 21246

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

Full Idea

Guanilo supposes that we imagine an island surpassing all lands in its fertility. We might then say that we cannot doubt that it truly exists is reality, because anyone can conceive it from a verbal description.

Gist of Idea

Guanilo says a supremely fertile island must exist, just because we can conceive it

Source

Anselm (Proslogion [1090], Reply 3)

Book Reference

'The Existence of God', ed/tr. Hick,John [Macmillan 1964], p.27


A Reaction

Guanilo was a very naughty monk, who must have had sleepless nights over this. One could further ask whether an island might have necessary existence. Anselm needs 'a being' to be a special category of thing.