987740
Description
Mind Map by Katie Hanlon, updated more than 1 year ago
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Created by Katie Hanlon
almost 11 years ago
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Examine the OA as presented by Anselm and
the relationship between reason and faith
- INTRO
- The ontological argument, which uses a priori logic, states
that God, being defined as the most great or perfect must
exist, since a God who exists is greater than a God who does
not. St. Anselm of Canterbury proposed the first OA in the
second chapter of his Proslogion by which he stated, 'God is
that, than which nothing greater can be conceived'.
- The ontological argument, which uses a priori logic, states
that God, being defined as the most great or perfect must
exist, since a God who exists is greater than a God who does
not. St. Anselm of Canterbury proposed the first OA in the
second chapter of his Proslogion by which he stated, 'God is
that, than which nothing greater can be conceived'.
- FIRST FORMATION
- Anselm's argument is divided into 2 forms; the first is in
the 2nd chapter of his Proslogion which contains 5
premises. He put forward the statement, 'God is that than
which nothing greater can be conceived', he then went on
to say 'If God exists in the mind alone, then a greater being
could be imagined in reality' - this being would then be
greater than God, which is impossible as the attributes of
omniscience and omnipotence are assigned to him. Which
means God cannot exist as only an idea in the mind and
therefore he must exist in both reality and in the mind. He
argues that something that exists in reality is better than
something that exists in ones imagination. If all of these
premises are true - God must exist.
- THE FOOL: 'The fool said in his heart there is
no God', used this to refute the 'fool', he claimed
the fool understands the claim that God exists,
but he does not believe God exists. Anselm's
aim was to show that this combination is
unstable. Anyone that understands what it
means to say God exists can be led to see he
exists. The fact the atheist has the concept of
God in his mind shows hes not just mistaken
but his position is internally inconsistent
- Anselm's argument is divided into 2 forms; the first is in
the 2nd chapter of his Proslogion which contains 5
premises. He put forward the statement, 'God is that than
which nothing greater can be conceived', he then went on
to say 'If God exists in the mind alone, then a greater being
could be imagined in reality' - this being would then be
greater than God, which is impossible as the attributes of
omniscience and omnipotence are assigned to him. Which
means God cannot exist as only an idea in the mind and
therefore he must exist in both reality and in the mind. He
argues that something that exists in reality is better than
something that exists in ones imagination. If all of these
premises are true - God must exist.
- SECOND FORMATION
- Gaunilo of Marmoutiers responded to Anselm's initial argument whereby he
substituted the word 'being' in Anselm's concept of the GCB for 'island'. The
point he tried to make was that no mere mortal can understand God's nature.
Anselm would have agreed with Gaunilo, that it is impossible to understand
God in the same way we understand geometery, however it does not rule out
the concept of the GCB. Anselm seeked to show that God's existence is
necessary, that means logically God cannot not exist. He says an island is
contingent and God's existence is necessary. Islands are caused to exist
and may go out of existence; God is not subjected to this. Contingent things
can be added to, you can always add to the GCI to make it greater, the fact
you can do this shows it's not the greatest. A necessary being is greater than
a contingent being since a contingent being depends on something else for
its existence. God's existence does not depend on other forms therefore God
must exist.
- Gaunilo of Marmoutiers responded to Anselm's initial argument whereby he
substituted the word 'being' in Anselm's concept of the GCB for 'island'. The
point he tried to make was that no mere mortal can understand God's nature.
Anselm would have agreed with Gaunilo, that it is impossible to understand
God in the same way we understand geometery, however it does not rule out
the concept of the GCB. Anselm seeked to show that God's existence is
necessary, that means logically God cannot not exist. He says an island is
contingent and God's existence is necessary. Islands are caused to exist
and may go out of existence; God is not subjected to this. Contingent things
can be added to, you can always add to the GCI to make it greater, the fact
you can do this shows it's not the greatest. A necessary being is greater than
a contingent being since a contingent being depends on something else for
its existence. God's existence does not depend on other forms therefore God
must exist.
- ANSELM'S VIEW OF RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN REASON AND FAITH
- The relationship between faith and reason is reflected
in the OA, with many philosophers and theologians
presenting a variety of views. Anselm himself believed
there was a relationship between faith and reason and
they aided each other in understanding the nature of
God. He noted that reason alone can lead to error and
therefore it has to be supported by faith. It is only
through faith that a greater understanding can be
achieved, he claimed 'unless I believe I shall not
understand.' The fool in his argument knows the word
'God' but does not have faith and so does not know
God.
- The relationship between faith and reason is reflected
in the OA, with many philosophers and theologians
presenting a variety of views. Anselm himself believed
there was a relationship between faith and reason and
they aided each other in understanding the nature of
God. He noted that reason alone can lead to error and
therefore it has to be supported by faith. It is only
through faith that a greater understanding can be
achieved, he claimed 'unless I believe I shall not
understand.' The fool in his argument knows the word
'God' but does not have faith and so does not know
God.
- KIERKEGAARD
- Kierkegaard disagreed with Anselm, and thought to attempt
to use reason to determine whether God exists is both
misconceived and ridiculous. He believed all arguments for
the existence of God, including the OA were worthless. Faith
should not be reduced to rational arguments, either God
does exist or does not. If God does not exist, then it is
impossible to invent a sound argument for his existence.
Non-believers will never try and prove that he exists, and
believers already conclude that he exists and so do not need
to prove his existence via an argument.
- Kierkegaard disagreed with Anselm, and thought to attempt
to use reason to determine whether God exists is both
misconceived and ridiculous. He believed all arguments for
the existence of God, including the OA were worthless. Faith
should not be reduced to rational arguments, either God
does exist or does not. If God does not exist, then it is
impossible to invent a sound argument for his existence.
Non-believers will never try and prove that he exists, and
believers already conclude that he exists and so do not need
to prove his existence via an argument.
- KARL BARTH
- Karl Barth also believed faith cannot be assessed by reason. If humans were
able to understand God they would no longer need to wait for him to reveal
himself. They would therefore be independent from him and this goes against
the biblical view of the relationship between God and humans. Barth believed
Anselm's intention was not to prove the existence of God, but to write a
mediation on God as a supreme being who he had faith in. Anselm's
arguments do begin and end with a prayer, Barth notes that his critiques miss
this fact. Barth's view cannot be applied to Descartes argument as there was
not doubt Descartes was trying to prove the existence of God.
- Karl Barth also believed faith cannot be assessed by reason. If humans were
able to understand God they would no longer need to wait for him to reveal
himself. They would therefore be independent from him and this goes against
the biblical view of the relationship between God and humans. Barth believed
Anselm's intention was not to prove the existence of God, but to write a
mediation on God as a supreme being who he had faith in. Anselm's
arguments do begin and end with a prayer, Barth notes that his critiques miss
this fact. Barth's view cannot be applied to Descartes argument as there was
not doubt Descartes was trying to prove the existence of God.
- PHILOSOPHERS AND THEOLOGIANS
- Many philosophers and theologians argue that it
is neither possible nor desirable to prove God by
reason. Religious beliefs cannot be justified to
reason, only by faith. Faith in God is knowing that
God exists, we do not have to know why this is
true.
- Believers should be encouraged to reflect
critically on their faith. God has given us the
gift of reason and we should use it. The OA can
be used to explore beliefs about God and gain
a deeper and more insightful mature faith.
Through this argument, a person may find
valid reasons for their faith.
- Non-believers claim that religious faith is
irrational. Atheists believe that faith is not based
on reason but on faulty reasoning. Kant, Russell
and Hume have all shown flaws in the reasoning
of the OA. Malcolm said he could imagine an
atheist being convinced of the validity of the
argument but could still reject the conclusion.
However impressed a non-believer is, they will
not accept reason can justify faith.
- Many philosophers and theologians argue that it
is neither possible nor desirable to prove God by
reason. Religious beliefs cannot be justified to
reason, only by faith. Faith in God is knowing that
God exists, we do not have to know why this is
true.
- STRONG RATIONALISTS
- Strong rationalists argue for a belief to
be taken seriously it must be subjected to
tests to show how logical and factual it is.
The OA provides logical reasoning which
can be used to test and support faith
- Strong rationalists argue for a belief to
be taken seriously it must be subjected to
tests to show how logical and factual it is.
The OA provides logical reasoning which
can be used to test and support faith
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