A 21st Century Ontological Argument: does it work.
January 8, 2024 at 9:32 pm
(This post was last modified: January 8, 2024 at 9:33 pm by JJoseph.)
So here's my own version of the Ontological Argument, borrowed indeed from St. Anselm, and Alvin Plantinga, who's been dubbed "St. Al", at least partly for his work on this subject, though more broadly for his general philosophical expertise; and also, slightly moving beyond them. Time will tell if the argument succeeds. Now, without further ado, here it is.
1. God is Conceived as the One Necessarily Existent Being.
2. Now, if a Being can be conceived as existing necessarily, it possibly exists. (since conceivability entails possibility).
3. Next, if a Necessary Being possibly exists, it exists in every possible world. (by nature of Necessary Existence).
4. Then, if a Necessary Being exists in every possible world, it exists in the actual world. (since the actual world is one of many possible worlds).
5. Therefore, God exists in the actual world. Or, more simply, Therefore, God exists.
Of course Atheists are going to object, lol. But I think the argument is sound, even though I once thought Ontological Arguments don't make the cut.
The reason the argument seems to work imo is because of the special Nature of God as a Necessarily Existent Being.
Because God is a Necessarily Existent Being, His Existence cannot be merely possible without being actual, or actual without being necessary.
His Existence is either necessary or it is impossible. In other words, no such Being as God could ever be conceived as possible if He didn't exist.
Now anyway, since most Atheists are not going to agree with that, go ahead and tell me which Step in the above you disagree with and why.
God Bless, and may God guide us all to Heaven in His own Good Time. In Jesus' Name.
1. God is Conceived as the One Necessarily Existent Being.
2. Now, if a Being can be conceived as existing necessarily, it possibly exists. (since conceivability entails possibility).
3. Next, if a Necessary Being possibly exists, it exists in every possible world. (by nature of Necessary Existence).
4. Then, if a Necessary Being exists in every possible world, it exists in the actual world. (since the actual world is one of many possible worlds).
5. Therefore, God exists in the actual world. Or, more simply, Therefore, God exists.
Of course Atheists are going to object, lol. But I think the argument is sound, even though I once thought Ontological Arguments don't make the cut.
The reason the argument seems to work imo is because of the special Nature of God as a Necessarily Existent Being.
Because God is a Necessarily Existent Being, His Existence cannot be merely possible without being actual, or actual without being necessary.
His Existence is either necessary or it is impossible. In other words, no such Being as God could ever be conceived as possible if He didn't exist.
Now anyway, since most Atheists are not going to agree with that, go ahead and tell me which Step in the above you disagree with and why.
God Bless, and may God guide us all to Heaven in His own Good Time. In Jesus' Name.
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