What is the Ontological argument for the existence of God?

Answer

The ontological argument for the existence of God is one of the few arguments originating in logic rather than observation. Teleological and cosmological arguments, for instance, demonstrate how the existence of God best explains apparent design in nature and the nature of causality, respectively. In contrast, the ontological argument relies on pure reasoning. The argument has both strengths and weaknesses. Few consider the ontological argument convincing, even among Christian believers. Carefully considering it does, however, lead to ideas that strongly support the existence of God.

The ontological argument has been phrased in many ways. The most well-known comes from Anselm in the eleventh century. The core of Anselm’s position is that God is “a being than which no greater can be conceived.” According to Anselm, existing is “greater than” not existing; therefore, God must exist as the “greatest” thing of which one can conceive. In somewhat plainer language, Anselm suggested that God is the “best” thing possible, and to exist is “better” than to not exist; therefore, God must exist.

Those who encounter the ontological argument for the first time typically react in one of two ways. For some, it’s abstract enough that it makes no sense. Most others find it unconvincing, whether or not they can articulate a specific reason. A few people find it compelling, perhaps after long study, but this is not a common response. Even those who reject it, however, have a difficult time explaining exactly why it is wrong.

The main drawback of the ontological argument is logical: it’s not clear how concepts such as “greatness” and “existence” apply in a purely logical setting. It would be circular and illogical to simply say, “God by definition exists; therefore, He exists.” Still, adding the stipulation that God is the “greatest possible” being doesn’t seem to do much to break that circle. Further, the problem.

Situations such as the liar’s paradox demonstrate that logic can create irrelevant loops: statements that are self-contained and lack meaning in reality.

Many individuals who dismiss ontological arguments do so for this very reason, even if they are unable to explain why. It simply “feels” incorrect; our rational instincts rebel against the notion of merely defining something into existence. For most individuals, especially non-believers, the ontological argument holds little weight.

Nevertheless, the ontological argument has not completely vanished. This is partly because the closer one endeavors to define its terms, the more the biblical God becomes apparent. Two key points encapsulate why this occurs: the characteristics of God and the idea of objective truth.

Attempts to discredit the ontological argument sometimes involve applying it to a different object or concept to reveal the absurdity of the structure. A common illustration is proposing a “perfect island”: since existing would be “more perfect” than not existing, this island must exist somewhere. This is evidently untrue in practice, but not for the reasons the skeptic assumes. The issue lies in the fact that the term island inherently implies limitations. Anything labeled as an “island” must be finite and restricted. Eventually, concepts like “perfection” or “greatness” clash with the criteria for being called an “island.”

Conversely, God possesses the capacity to perfectly fulfill the definition of an “absolutely great” or “absolutely perfect” entity. This is because all of God’s attributes are equally flawless. By definition, an island cannot be omniscient, but God can be—solely because He is also omnipotent and omnipresent. If we expand the definition of an island so that it can achieve the highest level of “perfection” possible, it ends up embodying omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence—which essentially makes it God. In attempting to discredit the ontological argument, one inadvertently reiterates it: the most conceivable entity must exist, by definition.

Another reason the ontological argument persists is the concept of objectivity.The truth. Concepts such as power, knowledge, goodness, and so forth assume there is some standard by which to judge those ideas. We don’t measure distances or weights against “infinite distance” or “infinite weight,” since infinity doesn’t literally exist and, even if it did, there’s no way to measure something against infinity. Yet we instinctively realize that things like power and morality are real and make sense only in respect to some absolute standard. Claiming otherwise is self-defeating: “subjective morality” is virtually a contradiction in terms. We’re inevitably pressed to recognize the existence of absolute benchmarks for those ideas.

Notice, however, what that statement entails. If there is an absolute measure of goodness, then—forgive the awkward grammar—the “most good” thing must exist. The same is true of power, knowledge, etc. Once again, this turns into a re-statement of the ontological argument: there must be something in existence than which no greater or more perfect thing can be conceived. That we have standards for morality, etc., suggests something very close to the premises of the ontological argument. It also implies there is only one being for whom the argument would work, anyway: one being ultimately perfect in every possible way—and that being would be God.

The ontological argument is neither as powerful nor as useless as extreme views might suggest. It has little practical value, especially for skeptics or non-believers. Like Pascal’s Wager, the ontological argument sometimes gets a bad rap: it’s not simplistically arguing that “conceiving” of something is sufficient to make it real. However, the more one tries to untangle it, the more the ontological argument digs in and refuses to be disproved.

It’s much easier to say, “The ontological argument doesn’t work for me,” than it is to say, “The ontological argument is false because—.” It’s an interesting example of arguments for God’s existence, and an important one, even if it’s not held in high

Highly regarded by many individuals.