Analyse the essential ideas in the Ontological Argument The Ontological (meaning ‘concerned with being’) argument is the only a priori argument for the existence of God. This means that it does not rely on the evidence of our senses for its premises or conclusion. It works by logical stages, which is self evidently true or logically necessary. This is one of its major strengths. It is also deductive, so the conclusion is the only possible one that could be deduced give the premises.
Aquinas also presented an objection to Anselm’s ontological argument. He argued that the ontological argument is invalid as we cannot define God ‘for the human mind does not have an intuition of the essence of God’. Aquinas rejects that there can be
Genesis 1-2 can show us that God is all-powerful and all-loving. As far as Genesis 1-2 goes, it is more important to understand the scripture, rather than prove it to be factual. “Although popular images of controversy continue to exemplify the supposed hostility of Christianity to new scientific theories, studies have shown that Christianity has often nurtured and encouraged scientific endeavor, while at other times the two have co-existed without either tension or attempts at harmonization” (Ferngren, 2). Genesis 1-2 is the cause of much unnecessary tension between the religious and scientific communities. The writers of Genesis 1-2 wrote it in a way that presents the Earth’s creation as a factual account of God creating the heavens and the Earth.
To what extent is the omnipotence of God a logically coherent concept? (35) The concept of omnipotence and God is not easily understood; the term refers to the notion that God is all-powerful and supreme. For some this concept of God being omnipotent is logically coherent, but for others it is not. For instance, saying God is all-powerful suggests that God can do anything. But one scenario raised by Michael Dummett is can God change the past?
One goes by the name “Cartesian spiral”. This suggests that the distinct and clear perception that proves Gods existence is different from the other perceptions. The Cartesian spiral is based on a mathematical equation, as “2+2=4” is clear and distinct, but a judgement and that is open to error. While the clear and distinct perception of Gods existence is just an idea and with no judgement attached. We know clear and distinct perceptions independently by God, and his existence provides us with a certainty we might not possess otherwise.
When conducted honestly and thoroughly, the scientific method can and has provided valuable information about the world and the world’s people (Jackson, 2009). Though some people rely on other methods for gaining knowledge, scientists only accept knowledge gained through science to arrive at plausible truths (Jackson, 2009). Due in part to human error and the tendency of human nature to succumb to temptations to bias research, the results of the scientific method should be viewed with skepticism (Garzon, n.d.). The scientific method of seeking knowledge and finding truth must stay within the limits of scientific ability and allow for human fragility in order to be effective (Slick, 2012). References Garzon, F. (n.d.).
Of the many objections to his Mediations on Philosophy, Descartes believed only two to be valid. One of these objections was based on Descartes’ claim that he proved the existence of an infinite being. Descartes believed that he proved the existence of a perfect being through the processes he laid down in his Discourse on Method. His theories provided many interesting new ideas. Like any new ideas, his ideas faced objection.
While none of these issues have precise answers, but there is a scientific methodology, which is the best of what people can approach to them. Science includes the selection and analysis of the facts with highly sophisticated methods. Currently, this topic is very relevant, and about science and religion there are enough different debates, disputes. It is preferred not to separate them, because science and religion do
Inductive arguments lead attention to specific areas of reality. Inductive statements can be weak when considered independently but gain strength when combined with other statements. Theism is stronger when things in the world are discovered that should not be in existence if naturalism were true or if theism is false. Therefore, the claim of theism is supported by the cumulative inductive arguments concerning the validity of God’s existence. Theists also depend on Kant’s theory of knowledge.
These aspects are the main reasons behind theories being cogent and compelling. As we all know Natural Science theories are not unerring. Yet many theories are so convincing that we, the public, seem to accept them immediately. So now we look at what makes Natural Science so convincing. Theories in Natural science are constructed to explain, predict, and master phenomena.