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An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion

Critiques of the ontological argument

  • 3 things to know
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Overview

Kant's central objection to the ontological argument, kant's point using his example and russell's objection about existential statements.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Who and when

Who was Gaunilo and what did he write?

Key term

Summarise Gaunilo's lost island objection.

Key term

How did Anselm answer Gaunilo?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Who was Gaunilo and what did he write?

    Model answer

    Gaunilo was a contemporary monk who replied to Anselm in On Behalf of the Fool.

  2. 2

    Summarise Gaunilo's lost island objection.

    Model answer

    Gaunilo argued that the same reasoning would prove the existence of the most perfect island, since an existing island would be greater than an imagined one, which shows the form of argument to be faulty.

  3. 3

    How did Anselm answer Gaunilo?

    Model answer

    Anselm replied that the argument applies only to a being than which nothing greater can be conceived, because only such a being has necessary existence, whereas an island is a contingent thing that can always be improved.

  4. 4

    State Kant's central objection to the ontological argument.

    Model answer

    Kant argued that existence is not a predicate, so saying that something exists adds nothing to the concept of it and cannot make the concept greater.

  5. 5

    Explain Kant's point using his example.

    Model answer

    Kant said a hundred real thalers contain no more coin than a hundred possible thalers; the real ones affect his finances, but the concept of a hundred thalers is unchanged by their existing.

  6. 6

    What did Kant say about necessary propositions and necessary beings?

    Model answer

    Kant held that necessity belongs to propositions rather than to things, so that while it is necessary that a triangle has three angles, one can reject the triangle altogether, and likewise reject God with the predicate.

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