Thomas Cranmer
Registered Member
The Ontological Argument for the existence of God goes something like this...
God is that being than which no greater can be conceived.
It is greater to exist in reality than merely as an idea.
If God does not exist, we can conceive of an even greater being, that is one that does exist.
Therefore, God must indeed exist in reality.
This is not a very convincing argument.
Like all the other arguments, it is trying to prove what is already believed, so is pointless.
Nobody believed in God because they read one of these arguments.
In addition, the argument can be used to prove things exist that we know do not exist.
I've made one up, just to demonstrate that it's easy...
The best of all possible worlds is that world which no better can be conceived.
It is better to exist in reality than merely as an idea.
If the best of all possible worlds does not exist, we can conceive of a better world, namely one that does exist.
Therefore, the best of all possible worlds must indeed exist in reality.
Is the world the best of all possible worlds ?
Could the internet be faster ?
Is chocolate free ?
Can you get a plumber on Sunday ?
God is that being than which no greater can be conceived.
It is greater to exist in reality than merely as an idea.
If God does not exist, we can conceive of an even greater being, that is one that does exist.
Therefore, God must indeed exist in reality.
This is not a very convincing argument.
Like all the other arguments, it is trying to prove what is already believed, so is pointless.
Nobody believed in God because they read one of these arguments.
In addition, the argument can be used to prove things exist that we know do not exist.
I've made one up, just to demonstrate that it's easy...
The best of all possible worlds is that world which no better can be conceived.
It is better to exist in reality than merely as an idea.
If the best of all possible worlds does not exist, we can conceive of a better world, namely one that does exist.
Therefore, the best of all possible worlds must indeed exist in reality.
Is the world the best of all possible worlds ?
Could the internet be faster ?
Is chocolate free ?
Can you get a plumber on Sunday ?