Introduction
The existence of God has been a mystery. The topic has raised debates that have lasted for centuries. Many scholars and philosophers have attempted to study God’s existence. One of the most intriguing arguments that support the existence of God is the ontological argument. Philosophers of this school of thought hold that it would be wrong and self-contradicting for any individual to deny that there is a supernatural being who created the universe. On the other hand, there are those who feel that there is no valid evidence for God’s existence. They argue that because God is not like an object that has form, color, and weight among other physical characteristics, then his existence is not established. Therefore, according to various evidences that will be presented in this discussion, it will be evident that despite underlying disputing theories, God’s presence has been exemplified in the world, and hence his existence is real.
Argument
The ontological argument offers a rich evidence for the existence of God. It is an argument that supports the existence of God basing its facts entirely on reason. This argument posits that individuals do not have to go out in their attempt to look for the physical evidence for God’s existence. Rather, they should work out his existence by just trying to think and reason, which is an argument that philosophers call a priori-based argument (McGrath 155). For instance, there are claims that individuals do not have to go out to study in order to verify their validity. Imagine a person claiming that a triangle is a four-sided figure. Any person who understands what this claim means does not have to go out to the field to ascertain if it is true or not, and hence no need to utilize their precious time looking for a four-sided triangle. So is the claim that God exists.
Anselm proposed the very first ontological argument. The philosopher was an archbishop, theologian, and scholar between 1033 and 1109. Initially, his argument was not meant to be used as a proof that God does indeed exist. Instead, his Proslogion work was a documentation that was intended to illustrate the meditation on the manner in which the idea of the existence of God became evident to him (McGrath, 156). Anselm’s claim that God exists was based on two main arguments. In his first argument, he defined God as a supernatural being that no other power exceeds his capacity. In his definition, he stated that God is “that which no superior can be thought of.” By this definition, Anselm meant that the Supreme Being ought to have an existence in reality. This notion was driven by the veracity that a being that exists in realism is greater than that which exists in people’s mind. Therefore, if God only exists in people’s mind, then it means that there is another being that is more supreme than God. However, we cannot think of any other supreme being apart from God. In other words, because God is the most Supreme Being that we can think of, then it would be contradictory to imagine or think of any other being that is greater than the greatest being, which gives credence to the existence of God.
Anselm’s second argument attempted to further his claim on the existence of God. Primarily, he defined God as a being that no other can be greater than him. He continued to argue that if the existence of God is based on our conception, but not in reality, then individuals could think of another being that is greater than God. Nevertheless, there has never, and there will never be a being that is superior to God. In this regard, God exists in reality as he exists in the mind. Therefore, if God exists in our mind as an idea, then he indeed subsists in reality.
By developing Anselm’s arguments, Rene Descartes came up with many different arguments that supported the reality of God’s existence. He first theorized that God is not only supreme, but he is also a perfect being. He then concluded that since God’s existence is perfect, then he is absolutely a perfect being that must exist. Perfection is the nature of God according to Descartes. He relates the notion of the perfect Supreme Being as the surety of the existence of numbers or shapes. Just as he can prove that some particular properties belonged to a certain number or shape, so is it when it comes to the supremacy and the existence of God. If the ideas of geometric have been deduced from the characteristics of shapes such as triangles, then similarly, God’s reality and existence can be inferred from his nature. However, his argument was criticized by Gottfried Leibniz, who thought that there was a problem with his argument of the Supreme Being. He contended that the idea of a perfect and a Supreme Being should be demonstrated to make the ontological argument valid. Because perfections can subsist together in on an entity, then Descartes argument was valid.
Sadra who was an Islamic theorist developed a new ontological argument for God’s existence. His argument that is referred to as the argument of righteous endeavored to validate the notion of God’s existence through the authenticity of existence. His argument posited that God does indeed exist and that his existence is perfect that no other greater perfection can be conceived. His existence is also singular and is graded in the intensity of scale that ought to have a limit, which is the greatest existence. Hence, according to his argument, God indeed exists.
Counterargument
The ontological argument for the existence of God has faced several criticisms for the reason that it does not substantiate God’s existence. Gaunilo, a monk of Marmoutiers, was the first to record an objection of Anselm’s theory (Gaunilo 139). Although he did not find any flaws with Anselm’s argument, he contended that it would not be acceptable because it would give credence to other theories of a similar school of thought that cannot be accepted. An example of a theory that had similar arguments was that of the existence a flawless island. He held that the Anselm’s and the theory of a perfect island had a similar logical argument and hence, they should either fall or stand together as one gives credence to the other one.
Immanuel Kant was also another philosopher who strongly objected the ontological argument. He argued that the ontological argument is confusing because it rests on the findings that there is an existing God whose existence is greater than that of a god that is not in existence. Kant held that existence should not be used to establish factualism because it is a property that something that exists can have or lack. In other words, individuals who believe that there is an Existing God insinuate that there is a supreme being with the property of existence. Similarly, individuals of a different opinion who indicate that God does not exist would be inferring that there is a greater being, but he lacks existence. People of the varying thoughts would be confirming that God exists while denying it at the same time.
Immanuel Kant suggested that if something exists, the concept should be exemplified in the world. Thus, existence is not substantiated by something possessing a property, rather, an idea of matching with something in the universe. An object that exists has maybe the size, color, and weight among other properties (Ahluwalia et al. 359). If someone says that an object exists, the person adds nothing to the notion of its existence, as it remains the same in terms of its size, shape, and color. This means that an object that exists means that it has some properties that correspond to the world. If his arguments were valid, then it would be possible to prove a God that exists and a God that does not exist. In his view, an existing God means that he is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. Similarly, a God that does not exist is omnipotent, all-pervading, and omniscient, which are the same. Should this argument be right, then it means that Anselm’s claim of a God who exists and is superior than a god who does not exist is invalid.
Objection to Counterargument
Both Guanilo and Kant’s criticism of the ontological have been objected on various premises. One problem with Guanilo’s argument is on the issue of a perfect island that has many palm trees and primeval beaches. An island that has more of these properties is better as compared to those with less. Nevertheless, there is no inherent minimum or maximum number of trees and beaches that an island can possess. People always imagine of another island with more of these properties, which means that the concept of a perfect island is baseless. The existence of God, on the other hand, is not baseless as it has upper limits that cannot be surpassed.
Similarly, although many scholars have supported the Kant’s objection to the ontological theory, the philosophy has its flaws. One of his arguments is based on the existence of objects in the physical realm. However, properties of the existing objects can be altered, hence changing the way people conceive them. If his stance that existence should not be a property of objects, then it is not possible to compare an existing God to one who is not in existence.
Conclusion
The ontological argument that supports the existence of God has been supported and criticized by many scholars. Anselm was the first philosopher to put the foundations of the ontological argument forward. This followed interpretations of the same by many philosophers such as Rene Descartes. Worth noting is that the ontological argument has faced numerous criticisms from different scholars such as Kant and Guanilo, who highlighted the flaws of every argument and conceded that the faults led to impossible conclusions. Nevertheless, the critics of the ontological argument for God’s existence have also been criticized on various grounds, giving credence to God’s existence. Therefore, God’s existence is real, and this has been seen through various proofs provided in the discussion.
Works Cited
Ahluwalia, Libby, Jenny Roberts, and Jane Bishop. Understanding Philosophy of Religion Edexcel. Haddenham, Bucks: Folens, 2008. Print.
Gaunilo, “On Behalf of the Fool”, in St. Anselm’s Proslogion, M. Charlesworth (ed.), Oxford: OUP, 1965
McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell, 2016. Print. 156.
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
