God

Definition

In philosophical discourse, particularly within the context of the Ontological Argument, 'god' refers to a supreme being or a necessary being that is perfect, all-knowing, and the ultimate cause of all existence. This concept emphasizes that god's existence is not contingent upon anything else, but rather is intrinsic and self-sustaining, which plays a crucial role in various arguments for the existence of god.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Ontological Argument was first articulated by St. Anselm in the 11th century, who proposed that if we can conceive of a greatest conceivable being, then that being must exist in reality.
2. The argument hinges on the notion that existence is a predicate of perfection; therefore, a god that does not exist would not be perfect.
3. Immanuel Kant later critiqued the Ontological Argument by asserting that existence is not a property or predicate that adds to the essence of a being.
4. Descartes also contributed to the Ontological Argument by suggesting that god's essence includes existence, thus making it impossible for god not to exist.
5. Modern philosophers have continued to discuss and refine the Ontological Argument, with variations introduced by thinkers like Alvin Plantinga, who formulated a modal version of the argument.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of god as a necessary being relate to the Ontological Argument?
  • In the Ontological Argument, god is viewed as a necessary being, meaning His existence is essential and not dependent on anything else. This ties into the argument’s premise that because we can conceive of a perfect being, and since perfection includes necessary existence, it follows that such a being must exist in reality. This relationship emphasizes that the definition of god fundamentally supports the argument's claim for His existence.
• Critically assess Immanuel Kant's objection to the Ontological Argument concerning the nature of existence as a predicate.
  • Immanuel Kant argued against the Ontological Argument by stating that existence is not a real predicate or property that adds to a being's essence. He believed that simply defining god as a perfect being does not guarantee His existence in reality because one cannot equate conceptualization with actualization. According to Kant, claiming something exists does not provide any additional information about its nature and thus undermines the argument's logic.
• Evaluate how modern interpretations of the Ontological Argument reflect ongoing philosophical debates about the nature of god and existence.
  • Modern interpretations of the Ontological Argument continue to engage with longstanding philosophical questions about the nature of god and existence. Philosophers like Alvin Plantinga introduced modal logic to reframe the argument, positing that if it's possible for a maximally great being to exist, then such a being must exist in some possible world, which then necessitates its existence in all possible worlds. This ongoing debate illustrates how concepts of god are continuously examined through new philosophical lenses, revealing deeper implications for understanding divine necessity and existence.

Related terms

Ontological Argument: A philosophical argument for the existence of god that asserts that the very concept of a perfect being implies its existence, as existence is a requisite attribute of perfection.

Necessary Being: A being whose existence is not contingent upon anything else; in contrast to contingent beings, which depend on external factors for their existence.

Aseity: The attribute of god whereby He exists independently and is self-sufficient; this means god does not rely on anything else for His existence.