|
||
Definition:
The ontological argument for the existence of god is an attempt to establish the truth of the proposition
"god exists" not through evidence or experience, but instead throiugh a
priori reasoning from the content of the concept of god. Thus, the argument can
be reduced to the claim that simply because we have a concept of god, then there
must also exist this god.
Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) was one of the most influential proponents of this argument, and phrased it so:
We have a concept of a Perfect Being:
Such a Perfect Being must necessarily exist.
Why? If he did not exist, then he would not be perfect.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is the Philosophy of Religion?
Sometimes confused with theology, the Philosophy of Religion is the philosophical study of religious beliefs, religious doctrines, religious arguments and religious history. The line between theology and the philosophy of religion isn't always sharp, but the primary difference is that theology tends to be apologetical in nature, committed to the defense of particular religious positions, whereas Philosophy of Religion is committed to the investigation of religion itself, rather than the truth of any particular religion.
