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Arguments for the Existence of God: Deductive

Deductive proofs and Anselm's greatest possible being

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Anselm's definition of God and anselm's analogy of the painter.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Evaluation

When is a deductive argument valid, what is a priori knowledge, and what does the ontological argument need from the world?

Evaluation

What makes an argument deductive?

Key term

Explain what the term 'a priori' means.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What makes an argument deductive?

    Model answer

    A deductive argument is valid when the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises. True premises in a valid form make the conclusion impossible to deny.

  2. 2

    Explain what the term 'a priori' means.

    Model answer

    A priori knowledge is reached by reason alone, independently of sense experience. Analysis of concepts rather than observation does the work.

  3. 3

    Why is the ontological argument classed as a priori and deductive?

    Model answer

    The argument works purely from the concept of God and needs no evidence from the world. Denial of the conclusion is said to involve a contradiction.

  4. 4

    Where does Anselm set out his ontological argument?

    Model answer

    Anselm sets out the argument in the Proslogion, written around 1078. The work is addressed to God as a prayer rather than to a sceptic.

  5. 5

    What did Anselm mean by 'faith seeking understanding'?

    Model answer

    Anselm begins from belief and uses reason to understand what he already accepts. Faith comes first and argument follows.

  6. 6

    State Anselm's definition of God.

    Model answer

    God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived. Anselm treats the phrase as a definition every believer and unbeliever can grasp.

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