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What is the ontological argument and how does it relate to philosophy of religion?

Agatha Ortelt

The ontological argument is perhaps one of the most controversial and misunderstood arguments in the history of philosophy of religion. It attempts to prove the existence of God by appealing to the concept of "perfection." The argument goes as follows:

1. God is defined as the most perfect being possible.
2. Existence is a necessary component of perfection.
3. Therefore, God must exist.

This argument was first formulated by St. Anselm in the 11th century and has since been refined by philosophers such as Descartes, Leibniz, and Plantinga.

One of the main criticisms of the ontological argument is that it relies on a questionable definition of God as "the most perfect being possible." Critics argue that this definition is subjective and relies on a particular conception of perfection that may not be universally accepted.

Another criticism of the argument is that it assumes the existence of God from the outset, rather than proving it. In other words, the ontological argument assumes that "existence" is a necessary component of "perfection," but this assumption is not necessarily true. For example, one could conceive of a perfect unicorn, but that does not mean that unicorns actually exist.

Despite these criticisms, the ontological argument has continued to be a topic of discussion in philosophy of religion. Some proponents of the argument argue that even if the definition of God as "the most perfect being possible" is subjective, it still provides a useful starting point for discussion. Others point to the fact that the ontological argument is a priori (i.e., it is based on reasoning alone, rather than empirical evidence) and therefore has the potential to provide stronger evidence for the existence of God than other arguments.

In conclusion, the ontological argument is a unique and controversial argument that attempts to prove the existence of God through the concept of perfection. While it has been subjected to numerous criticisms over the years, it continues to generate discussion and debate among philosophers of religion. Whether or not the argument is ultimately persuasive remains a matter of individual philosophical opinion.