Essay on Anselm’s Philosophy - 1553 Words

Anselm’s Philosophy Anselms definition of AGod starts by saying that God is the greatest being we can possibly think of. When Anselm states this, it essentially means that it is not possible to think of a being greater than God. Anselm also states that if God is the greatest thinkable being, he is referring to the fact that it would be impossible to imagine or to create in ones mind someone or something being better than God. Therefore, it would be impossible to say that God only exists in ones mind because it is much greater to exist in reality than it is to exist only in ones mind. Anselm then suggests that God has many attributes which describe him. Among these being: self-existent, a necessary being, omnipotent, omniscient,†¦show more content†¦Therefore, the conclusion that God does not exist must be false. Anselm then believes that the opposite of this supposition must then be true. A perfect God must actually must exist in reality. Otherwise, God would not be totally perfect. Existence is perfection. AIt is one thing for something to exist in a persons thought and quite another for the person to think that thing to exist. (Anselm Chapter 2) A modern day example of Anselms theory is that if I can really imagine a perfect girl for me. This girl would actually exist somewhere in the world. A girl with all of the best qualities that I can possibly imagine someone as having. She would be everything that I am looking for. According to Anselms beliefs, she would most defiantly exist. AFor if it exists only in the understanding , it can be thought to exist in reality as well, which is greater. (Anselm p.380 Chap.2) Anselm uses Gods definition to argue that God cannot be thought not to exist. Anselm does this by stating that God cannot even be thought not to exist, not only is his existence a fact but his non-existence is completely impossible. He confirms this by saying AAnd indeed whatever exists except you alone can be thought of as not existing. You alone of all things most truly exists and thus enjoy existence to the fullest degree of all things, because nothing else exists so undoubtedly, and thus everythingShow MoreRelatedKant And Anselm : Argument For God s Existence1129 Words   |  5 Pagescan be conceptualized. This means that the senses of man are enough to act as proof of the presence of a being higher and more powerful than him. Philosophy allows for proof to be logical and factual as well as imaginative. From this point, the objection to an idea or imagination such as the existence of God makes his presence even more realistic. Anselm’s argument, therefore, provides the idea of God’s existence as reality rather than an abstract. Existence is a property of the mind and perfectionRead MoreKant And Anselm : Argument For God s Existence1142 Words   |  5 Pagescan be conceptualized. This means that the senses of man are enough to act as proof of the presence of a being higher and more powerful than hi m. 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