Research Paper on God Existence

Introduction

One of the most interesting arguments for the existence of God is the ontological argument. Despite the fact there are different perspectives of the argument, most philosophers use self-contradiction to justify as to whether God exists or not. In this regard, holds that the first ontological argument was proposed by Anselm in 1078. He further posits that God is defined as a supernatural being which cannot be compared to anything. Later, a similar ontological argument was proposed by Descartes but in a precised manner that would explain some aspects that Anselm didn't cover in his argument. In this manner, Anselm and Descartes shared the same ideology which was contrary to Aquinas who rejected their arguments on the basis that humankind cannot know the nature of their creator. Concerning these remarks, this research paper seeks to discuss the ontological argument concerning Anselm's, Descartes', and Aquinas' viewpoint.

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Discussion

As evidence in Anselm's, Descartes', and Aquinas ontological argument, it is clear that they depended on empirical premises. For instance, the design argument relies on empirical evidence of intelligent design which was nomological; that is, it depended on the matter of law. Such propositions could be misleading on the basis that some laws rely on fundamental properties of the universes which were dependent on some physical aspects. The same way, the cosmological arguments rely on some specific empirical claims about the clarification for the existence of empirical events.

According to Anselm's ontological argument, great things are those which can be conceived, and if God exists, then he must be conceived. From this point of view, it is clear that Anselm 's ontological argument relies on two crucial claims; that is, a premise that defines God as a being and the claim of existence is perfection. From these two claims, one can deduce that God is a being who does not exist logically hence it is impossible to prove his existence. To some considerable degree, Anselm believes that God is a being whose image can never be compared to anything. He further emphasized that a being which does not necessarily exist in reality is much greater than a being which does not necessarily exist. Based on Anselm's viewpoint, God is perceived as an idea which lives in people's mind and not in reality. In this context, God exists as an idea in the mind which imply that God exists in reality.

Therefore, the concept of a being that instantiates all the insights that it truly exists. Anselm's main objective is to justify that the combination of the two claims is unstable. Any person who understands what it implies to say that God exists can be directed to perceive that God does not exist. From this point of view, the atheists are not mistaken because their position is internal and therefore, inconsistent. St. Anselm's argument is deductive which seeks to establish God's existence by understanding some of his attributes in the sense of classical theism. He further supports his ideology using a biblical annotation from the book of Psalms where he posits that its only a fool who believes that there is no God. Then, Anselm attempts to disapprove the fool by saying anyone who appreciates good existence must have some knowledge about him. Thus, it can allude that whatever is understood should exist even if one dismisses this claim. In this manner, Anselm tries to justify the difference between an object from someone's understanding and its existence. Based on his definition of God, Anselm claims that if God exists as an intangible being, then a greater being could exist both on the mind and in reality.

The same way, Descartes gives two claims about God existence. In the first claim, he claims that God is a perfect being. He further claims that it is more perfect to exist than not existing. From these two claims, he concludes that God must exist. From the second claim, it is evident that God exists is more complex because he distinguishes between two forms of reality. That is formal reality and infinite reality. From his claim of formal reality, he posits that everything has its virtue to exist which can take three grades; finite, infinite, and mode. Therefore, God exists in the form of infinite reality. The same way, substance exist in the form of finite formal reality.

Consequently, modes possess the modal form of reality. Conversely, an idea is considered to be an occurrent piece of thought that possess formal modal reality. He further emphasizes that ideas also have another kind of reality that is unique. When it is considered in the form of objects, it possesses the objective reality. In this form, it is ascribed to possess three forms of formal reality. In this context, Descartes asserts that ideas are determined on the degree of formal reality in it as ascribed by the same idea.

Contrary to Anselm and Descartes, Aquinas believed that all rational acquaintance could be obtained through sensory experiences. Therefore, when one studies the universe, he or she perceives the essential nature of things. In this manner, he argues people to strive to their highest good to understand some aspects. He, therefore, believed in Christ as the savior as well as the protector in earth and heaven. Therefore, he had the following proof to the existence of God.

• Things can move, and some are moved, but there seem to be something that propels them apart from them being moved.
• Things depend upon the impossibility for infinite regress
• There is an ultimate source of necessity d. There are numerous perfections in the universe which must have perfect origin e. Things have the purpose even those that are lifeless; this divine purpose originates from some being outside which can either be animate or inanimate.

Conclusion

In summary, it is reasonable to believe in the existence of God based on reasons. Anselm and Descartes seem to have the same reasons given that they believe in God a being and further justifies his existence using cosmological proofs and design argument posited that everything had a reason for its existence. On the contrary, Aquinas believed that knowledge could be obtained using experiences. If one studies the world, he or she tends to perceive the essential nature of things. The same way, people should string to their highest to understand some aspects of God existence. Thus, he believed in Christ as protector and savior of mankind. From the arguments, it can be concluded that Anselm and Descartes had the same ideology which was contrary to Aquinas.