Intro: To Question Anselm (asking even more interesting questions)

Hi Philosophers,

There are various answers we can give to Anselm’s argument: (1) “We can make it better”, is one branch, another is (2) “criticize it”, the best is to (3) “learn from it”. All are philosophically reasonable approaches to this little gem and come together to give us the third (3). Some people think the ontological argument is a word trick, others think it shows God’s existence is woven into the very nature—the fundamental fabric—of elementary logic, so some ask, what is that “very nature/fundamental fabric”. Does God exist or Does God not exist? Take a look at a shortened version of what Anselm writes,

"[Even a] fool, when he hears of … a being than which nothing greater can be conceived … understands what he hears, and what he understands is in his understanding [like the painting is on what is painted].… And assuredly that, than which nothing greater can be conceived, cannot exist in the understanding alone. For suppose it exists in the understanding alone: then it can be conceived to exist in reality; which is greater.… Therefore, if that, than which nothing greater can be conceived, exists in the understanding alone, the very being, than which nothing greater can be conceived, is one, than which a greater can be conceived. But obviously this is impossible. Hence, there is no doubt that there exists a being, than which nothing greater can be conceived, and it exists both in the understanding and in reality."

Archbishop of Canterbury (1033-1109).

So we see, it never ends in our bold and fun-filled exploration of reality.

Cheers~

Dr. Lee Basham