1. Explore the use of a’priori reasoning in the ontological argument
Explore the use of a’priori reasoning in the ontological argument. (8 marks)
A priori – what is it and why Anselm thought it was better
Deductive – how does it work
Analytic – true by definition
Anselm
Premises
Reality and Understanding

2. Explore the use of a’priori reasoning in the ontological argument
Explore the use of a’priori reasoning in the ontological argument. (8 marks)
The ontological argument takes an a priori approach, this is seeking to prove the existence of God based on logic and reason rather than empirical evidence. Anselm believed that this was a superior approach to a’posteriori reasoning as this relied upon the correct interpretation of evidence and this could be unreliable.
The argument is deductive meaning that the premises contain the conclusion that it reaches, and the argument is structured in such a way as to make the conclusion the only possible one that can be deduced from its premises.
The argument is also analytic which means that it is true by definition alone. Hence the argument reaches conclusions about the existence of God that are based on the definition of God used in the premises.
The argument was developed by Anselm in 1078 who believed that the definition of God as ‘That which nothing greater can be conceived’ proved analytically that God existed. By
The premises of the argument can be set out as follows:
Premise 1: God is that which nothing greater can be conceived.
Premise 2: It is better to exist in reality and in understanding than just reality.
Premise 3: For God to be the greatest thing he must exist in reality and in understanding.
Conclusion: God exists in reality.
The premises of the argument seek to demonstrate that existing in reality is better than existing merely in understanding, and as God is the greatest, he must exist in reality. This is based on the idea that to only exist in understanding would mean that an improvement could be made to him, ie being brought into existence in reality and this is logically impossible since God is the greatest thing and requires no improvement.