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The Ontological Argument: An Introduction

Dive into the Ontological argument for the existence of God, exploring strengths, weaknesses, and significance compared to other arguments. Learn about a priori and a posteriori knowledge, definitions of God, and the perfection concept. Examine inductive and deductive reasoning in philosophical debates.

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The Ontological Argument: An Introduction

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  1. Starter Task: What is greater? The Ontological Argument: An Introduction Learning Outcomes: ALL will be able to explain the Ontological argument. MOST will be able to analyse the strengths and weakness of the ontological argument SOME will be able to explain the significance of the ontological argument in the context of the other arguments for the existence of God

  2. A priori or a posteriori knowledge? • This triangle has 3 sides. (a priori) • The nearest station to Latimer is Kettering station. (a posteriori) • The sun will rise tomorrow. (a posteriori) • The apple I am going to eat for lunch is a fruit. (a priori) • Jesus was the son of God. (a posteriori) • Learning Outcomes: • ALL will be able to explain the Ontological argument. • MOST will be able to analyse the strengths and weakness of the ontological argument • SOME will be able to explain the significance of the ontological argument in the context of the other arguments for the existence of God

  3. A priori – a proposition based on a definition and the use of logic alone, no experience needed. A posteriori – a proposition based upon experience alone. Write down three examples of each • Learning Outcomes: • ALL will be able to explain the Ontological argument. • MOST will be able to analyse the strengths and weakness of the ontological argument • SOME will be able to explain the significance of the ontological argument in the context of the other arguments for the existence of God

  4. A definition of God • Take a couple of minutes to think of a definition of God. • Make a list of the attributes of the attributes of God. • Learning Outcomes: • ALL will be able to explain the Ontological argument. • MOST will be able to analyse the strengths and weakness of the ontological argument • SOME will be able to explain the significance of the ontological argument in the context of the other arguments for the existence of God

  5. Perfection = ?

  6. Anselm says • God is “that than which nothing greater can be conceived” • “you can’t imagine anything greater than God” • “God is perfect in every way”

  7. Anselm Says: • If God is perfect in every way he must exist in reality • If he existed only in the mind we could imagine a more perfect God – one that existed in the mind and in reality God + God

  8. Ontological Argument in a nutshell • Something is greater if it exists than if it doesn’t. • If God is the greatest thing imaginable, he must exist. For if he didn’t, you could imagine something greater – something with all his qualities, but which did actually exist. • Learning Outcomes: • ALL will be able to explain the Ontological argument. • MOST will be able to analyse the strengths and weakness of the ontological argument • SOME will be able to explain the significance of the ontological argument in the context of the other arguments for the existence of God

  9. Inductive and deductive arguments • All the other arguments for the existence of God are inductive – they can at best only give a highly probable conclusion. • Inductive arguments are based upon a posteriori knowledge – knowledge derived from (after) experience. • Learning Outcomes: • ALL will be able to explain the Ontological argument. • MOST will be able to analyse the strengths and weakness of the ontological argument • SOME will be able to explain the significance of the ontological argument in the context of the other arguments for the existence of God

  10. Inductive/deductive cont’d… • A deductive argument is based upon a priori knowledge. • The conclusion is implied directly by the premises, i.e. flows directly from them. • If the premises are true and the structure is valid, then the conclusion must be true. • The Ontological Argument is the only deductive argument for the existence of God. → This means ontological arguments are the only arguments that could… prove God’s existence conclusively

  11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCXvVcWFrGQ&playnext=1&list=PLC59655AA14BB1541 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCXvVcWFrGQ&playnext=1&list=PLC59655AA14BB1541 • Learning Outcomes: • ALL will be able to explain the Ontological argument. • MOST will be able to analyse the strengths and weakness of the ontological argument • SOME will be able to explain the significance of the ontological argument in the context of the other arguments for the existence of God

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