• Ontological Arguments: Exploring the Proofs for God's Existence

  • Feb 24 2025
  • Length: 15 mins
  • Podcast

Ontological Arguments: Exploring the Proofs for God's Existence

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  • Summary

  • This entry from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy explores ontological arguments, which attempt to prove God's existence through reason alone, rather than empirical observation. It traces the history of these arguments, beginning with Anselm of Canterbury, and including thinkers like Descartes, Leibniz, Gödel, and Plantinga. The text presents a taxonomy of different types of ontological arguments, such as definitional, conceptual, and modal arguments. It considers common criticisms, including Kant's claim that existence is not a predicate. It also examines the goals and potential uses of ontological arguments, along with parodies of them, such as Gaunilo's "perfect island" objection, and includes a discussion of specific arguments and their limitations. The entry ultimately suggests that while current ontological arguments may not persuade non-theists, the possibility of undiscovered, successful arguments remains an open question. The article also gives a short explanation of major philosophers that have contributed to this argument, and offers resources for further study.
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