Philosophy MAP 2 and new topic The Idea of God 11th November 2013 P4 AS Philosophy Jez Echevarría

Objectives MAP 2 To consider our basic idea of God To examine the Ontological Argument for the existence of God

MAP 2 Philosophy AS 1) Explain and illustrate two objections to the view that if we understand what is good and acquire the virtues, we will flourish and be happy. (15 marks) 2) ‘The only genuinely moral motivation for performing an action is that it is the right action.’ Discuss. (30 marks) 60-65 Minutes

Ontological Argument The Ontological Argument is: An A Priori argument A deductive argument – you cannot reject the conclusion if you have accepted all the premises and the conclusion follows logically

Anselm’s version 1) God is by definition that than which nothing greater can be conceived. This definition is understood by believers and non-believers. 2) It is one thing to exist in the mind alone and another to exist both in the mind and in reality. 3) It is greater to exist in the mind and in reality than to exist in the mind alone. Conc) Therefore God must exist both in reality as well as in the mind. If God is just an idea in the mind, then the definition points to something greater – a God who exists both in the mind and in reality.

Any Problems? Can God really be conceived? Is it “greater” to exist in reality? Is existence a property (or predicate) that can be added or taken away? Gaunillo’s island Anselm’s reply (Necessary versus Contingent)

Alvin Plantinga (possible worlds) REAL 1 2 3 567 568 7890 9056

Plantinga (as a deductive argument) It is accepted by philosophers that there is an infinity of possible worlds (though only one is actual). All possibilities are played out in these possible worlds. Therefore the supreme conceivable being must exist in some of these worlds. But we can conceive of the supreme conceivable being existing in all of these possible worlds. If the supreme possible being, already proven to exist in some of these worlds, only exists in those worlds, it is not the supreme conceivable being. Therefore this being must exist in all possible worlds. Given that all possible worlds includes the actual one, this being must exist in the actual one (e.g. ours). Conc: Therefore God exists.  

What have I learnt today? MAP 2 To consider our basic idea of God To examine the Ontological Argument for the existence of God