Anslem's Ontological Argument

Spenner · 09-5-2013, 11:24 PM

This is an interesting argument. Though it contains a fatal flaw, something quite trivial. What is wrong with the argument, and, what part of it is wrong?

Anselms Ontological Argument:

1) Our understanding of God is a being than which no greater can be conceived.
2) The idea of God exists in the mind.
3) A being which exists both in the mind and in reality is greater than a being that exists only in the mind.
4) If God only exists in the mind, then we can conceive of a greater being—that which exists in reality.
5) We cannot be imagining something that is greater than God. Therefore, God exists.

By following the rules of the argument it would conclude that God must exist, which is some interesting trickery. So, what do you make of it?

09-5-2013, 11:24 PM	#1
Spenner Forum User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Canada Age: 33 Posts: 2,403	Anslem's Ontological Argument This is an interesting argument. Though it contains a fatal flaw, something quite trivial. What is wrong with the argument, and, what part of it is wrong? Anselms Ontological Argument: 1) Our understanding of God is a being than which no greater can be conceived. 2) The idea of God exists in the mind. 3) A being which exists both in the mind and in reality is greater than a being that exists only in the mind. 4) If God only exists in the mind, then we can conceive of a greater being—that which exists in reality. 5) We cannot be imagining something that is greater than God. Therefore, God exists. By following the rules of the argument it would conclude that God must exist, which is some interesting trickery. So, what do you make of it? __________________

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