Anselm, The Ontological Argument

A detailed Summary of Anselm, The Ontological Argument


A convincing proof to God's existence?

Anselm's definition of God starts by saying that God is the greatest being we can possibly think of and he argues that there is absolutely no doubt that God's presence is certain. He uses the ontological argument, proposing that if God could be thought of and perceived, then God has to exist. His first argument is that God is "that-than-which-none-greater-can-be-conceived." Anselm argues that if there was a being that nothing greater could be conceived to exist, that it cannot even be conceived not to exist, then this being has to be God. He tries to prove that not only does God exist in the mind, but also in reality because God is something that can be conceived so God must exist. He continues to say


As a theist, I think that Anselm's proof is strong but has a few weak points. I also believe that God is that-than-which-none-greater-can-be-conceived which is in my understanding and in reality but not because it is in my understanding and thus in reality as Anselm argues. Anselm begins his proof 'in faith' so he does not have any doubt that his definition and proof of God is solid whereas an atheist would not start off 'in faith' so the argument will not be convincing enough.

Anselm says that if you can understand a greatest possible being's existence then it must exist in reality. But understanding this does not necessarily mean that such a being exists. For example, I understand what a unicorn is but that does not mean that a unicorn really exists; it is in my understan

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