He states that for the fool to say that there ‘is no God’ the fool has to have an idea of what God is in their minds. Anselm puts forward that the definition that in the mind of God is the ‘greatest possible being’ therefore making him the greatest possible being that can be conceived. He then points out that it is greater to exist in reality than in the mind alone. An example of this is Santa clause; people are able to discuss the idea of him and give a description of what he does but just because we are able to discuss him it does not mean he exists. To Anselm the most important factors is being able to exist in reality as well as in the mind this therefore makes it greater than just being an idea of the mind.
It was originally called fides quaerens intellectum (faith seeking understanding). ‘For I do not seek to understand that I believe, but I believe in order to understand’ – Proslogion 1. Anselm defined god as ‘that than which no greater can be conceived’. This is a priori accepted (no evidence). He then goes on to say that it is always greater to exist in reality (in re) than just in the mind (in intellectu).
Anselm’s argument is based on the idea that anyone who hears about God or thinks about God, has an idea of who God is. Even if a person denies the existence of God, he or she have to accept that God at least exists in a persons understanding, as an idea. Anselm argues that there is therefore the possibility of God existing purely in the mind alone, or alternatively in the mind and also in reality. Anselm defined God as “that…which nothing greater can be conceived”, he is all powerful, all-loving and all-knowing. Central to Anselm’s argument is the belief that it is greater to exist than not exist, and if God is the greatest-possible being, then by definition, God must exist.
Eternal law cannot be understood, it is everlasting, and unchangeable. Thomas says the whole world is ordered by the providence of God not with chaos. Humans do not have it in themselves to sustain this law without it passing away. Everything comes into passing and is created by a God and has a purpose. Even though humans are not eternal, the forms of human beings are eternal in the mind of God.
defining God as maximal perfection, there literally cannot be anything greater than God as God is the greatest thing that can possibly exist. If the ontological argument proves that God exists, then it basically does so without question regardless of what someone would wish to call such a being of maximal perfection. This then leads to the point that if someone was rational why should they be reluctant to call such a being ‘God’ or even why God wouldn’t be the greatest possible being there is. When defining God as the greatest possible being, it does raise a few questions and arguments when stating such a strong statement. One of these is it has been significantly more of a challenge to demonstrate that God is not possible.
He is half correct in his statement as a theist does not believe in the proofs individually, but finds enough evidence in them to form the belief that God does exist; He is the creator of the universe, and He is morally perfect. McCloskey touches on faith in his article. It is defined by Tillich: as the state of being ultimately concerned as claiming truth for concern, and is involving commitment, courage, and the taking of risk. Theists have faith in God, and treat Him as the most important person in their lives. To have faith in someone on past knowledge, according to McCloskey, is reasonable however; it is unreasonable to have faith in God as we have no past knowledge of God.
This tells us that regardless of differing religions, all experiences originate from the ultimate reality and act as proof for the existence of God. Lastly, there is pragmatism. James was a pragmatist and therefore believed that truth is not fixed. It alters as our values change. From looking at the
“What do the Ten Commandments say about Jewish (and Christian and Muslim) beliefs in the powers of God?” The Ten Commandments demonstrate that Jewish, Christian and Muslim beliefs are similar in that God’s powers are that God’s powers are exceptional because there is only one God to be worshiped and he is the most powerful god for creating Earth itself. In adhering to the Ten Commandments, Jews, Christians and Muslims are surrendering to God’s supreme power and in turn, shall benefit in the afterlife. The Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions are all monotheistic and therefore they worship only one god. In these three religions, God is the only god that can be praised and worshiped according to the Ten Commandments. This is evident in Exodus, the First Commandment is, “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt […]” From this statement, God is declaring his almighty power and complete authority over his followers.
If this definition is correct (which Anselm stresses very strongly is true), God is perfect and greater than any other thing in existence. It is upon this definition that Anselm places his argument. An existent God is clearly greater than a non-existent one and therefore, God – who is perfect by definition – must
The Prime Mover is the Final Cause of everything in the world; he was the creator of the first cause that has caused everything until today. The prime mover is described as necessary, as the Prime Mover must exist. The PM does not have a physical body as physical bodies undergo changes, and the PM is also known as the moved mover, it cannot physically grow, be changed or altered. People argue that the PM has a spiritual body that is immaterial. The roles of the PM are linked to the roles of god but the 2 must not be confused.