Open the App

Subjects

Understanding Anselm’s Ontological Argument

1

0

L

Liv Pankiw

01/12/2025

Religious Studies

Anselm’s Ontological argument

47

1 Dec 2025

2 pages

Understanding Anselm’s Ontological Argument

L

Liv Pankiw

@ivankiw_aqvj

The ontological argument is a clever philosophical attempt to prove... Show more

Crivicioms from kant
Existence is nou a predicave someoning cannot be defined
A real predicute to comebning buat gives
informavion about a s

Anselm's Ontological Argument

Ever wondered if you could prove God exists just by thinking about it? That's exactly what Anselm tried to do in the 11th century. His ontological argument is completely a priori - it relies purely on logic without needing any physical evidence.

Here's how it works: Anselm defined God as "that which nothing greater can be conceived". He argued there's a crucial difference between having an idea in your mind versus that thing actually existing in reality. Since existing in reality is greater than just existing as an idea, God must exist in both our minds and reality - otherwise we could conceive of something greater.

The argument is deductive, meaning if you accept the premises, the conclusion must follow. Anselm claimed this makes God's existence a necessary truth - like saying "all bachelors are unmarried."

Quick Tip: Remember that a priori arguments don't rely on experience or evidence - they're purely logical.

But critics weren't convinced. A monk called Gaunilo used Anselm's same logic to "prove" the existence of a perfect island. If the argument works for God, surely it should work for anything we can imagine as perfect? Anselm responded by distinguishing between necessary beings (God) and contingent beings (everything else, including islands).

Crivicioms from kant
Existence is nou a predicave someoning cannot be defined
A real predicute to comebning buat gives
informavion about a s

Kant's Criticism and Modern Evaluation

Immanuel Kant delivered what many consider the knockout blow to ontological arguments. His key insight? "Existence is not a predicate" - meaning existence isn't a quality that adds information about something. When you say "the cat is black," you're adding information, but saying "the cat exists" doesn't tell you anything new about the cat itself.

Kant used the example of 100 thalers (old German coins). There's no logical difference between the concept of 100 thalers and 100 actual thalers - but there's certainly a practical difference to your wallet! Just because you can conceive of something perfectly doesn't mean it must exist.

Modern scholars remain split on the argument's value. Some see it as a rational confirmation for existing believers rather than a proof for skeptics. Karl Barth even argued Anselm never intended it as a proof - just as religious meditation.

Remember: The argument might show that if God exists, then God exists necessarily - but it doesn't prove the initial "if."

Strengths include its logical independence from potentially unreliable empirical evidence. Weaknesses include the fundamental problem that arguments about existence typically need empirical grounding. For religious faith, it either strengthens existing belief or falls short as genuine proof - depending on whether you think faith should rely on logical arguments at all.



We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

Most popular content: Philosophy of Religion

Most popular content in Religious Studies

Most popular content

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Religious Studies

47

1 Dec 2025

2 pages

Understanding Anselm’s Ontological Argument

L

Liv Pankiw

@ivankiw_aqvj

The ontological argument is a clever philosophical attempt to prove God's existence using pure logic rather than evidence. Anselm's medieval argument sparked centuries of debate about whether you can think God into existence.

Crivicioms from kant
Existence is nou a predicave someoning cannot be defined
A real predicute to comebning buat gives
informavion about a s

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Anselm's Ontological Argument

Ever wondered if you could prove God exists just by thinking about it? That's exactly what Anselm tried to do in the 11th century. His ontological argument is completely a priori - it relies purely on logic without needing any physical evidence.

Here's how it works: Anselm defined God as "that which nothing greater can be conceived". He argued there's a crucial difference between having an idea in your mind versus that thing actually existing in reality. Since existing in reality is greater than just existing as an idea, God must exist in both our minds and reality - otherwise we could conceive of something greater.

The argument is deductive, meaning if you accept the premises, the conclusion must follow. Anselm claimed this makes God's existence a necessary truth - like saying "all bachelors are unmarried."

Quick Tip: Remember that a priori arguments don't rely on experience or evidence - they're purely logical.

But critics weren't convinced. A monk called Gaunilo used Anselm's same logic to "prove" the existence of a perfect island. If the argument works for God, surely it should work for anything we can imagine as perfect? Anselm responded by distinguishing between necessary beings (God) and contingent beings (everything else, including islands).

Crivicioms from kant
Existence is nou a predicave someoning cannot be defined
A real predicute to comebning buat gives
informavion about a s

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Kant's Criticism and Modern Evaluation

Immanuel Kant delivered what many consider the knockout blow to ontological arguments. His key insight? "Existence is not a predicate" - meaning existence isn't a quality that adds information about something. When you say "the cat is black," you're adding information, but saying "the cat exists" doesn't tell you anything new about the cat itself.

Kant used the example of 100 thalers (old German coins). There's no logical difference between the concept of 100 thalers and 100 actual thalers - but there's certainly a practical difference to your wallet! Just because you can conceive of something perfectly doesn't mean it must exist.

Modern scholars remain split on the argument's value. Some see it as a rational confirmation for existing believers rather than a proof for skeptics. Karl Barth even argued Anselm never intended it as a proof - just as religious meditation.

Remember: The argument might show that if God exists, then God exists necessarily - but it doesn't prove the initial "if."

Strengths include its logical independence from potentially unreliable empirical evidence. Weaknesses include the fundamental problem that arguments about existence typically need empirical grounding. For religious faith, it either strengthens existing belief or falls short as genuine proof - depending on whether you think faith should rely on logical arguments at all.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

1

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Most popular content: Philosophy of Religion

Most popular content in Religious Studies

Most popular content

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user