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Understanding the Ontological Argument in A-Level Philosophy

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clara

11/12/2025

Religious Studies

the ontological argument alevel philosophy

38

11 Dec 2025

1 page

Understanding the Ontological Argument in A-Level Philosophy

user profile picture

clara

@iiihearttaehyun

The ontological argument is one of philosophy's most fascinating attempts... Show more

Argued existence isn't a property or perfection
that can be added to the concept of an object.
Believed that existence isn't a real predicat

The Ontological Argument and Its Key Versions

The ontological argument is an a priori proof that tries to demonstrate God's existence through reason alone, without relying on empirical evidence. The term 'ontos' means 'of being', and this argument claims that God has aseity - he contains within himself the means of his existence, making his existence necessary.

Anselm's first proof defines God as "that than which nothing greater can be conceived." He argues that if we can think of this greatest possible being, it must exist in reality, not just in our minds. Why? Because existence in reality is greater than existence only in thought.

Anselm's second proof introduces necessary existence versus contingent existence. A necessary being exists in all possible worlds and cannot be conceived not to exist, whilst contingent beings depend on external factors. If God exists necessarily, he's greater than anything that exists contingently.

Descartes' version focuses on perfection, arguing that God possesses all perfections, including existence. Since existence is a perfection, and a perfect being lacking existence would be contradictory, God must exist in reality.

Key Point: All ontological arguments share the core idea that God's existence follows logically from the concept of God itself - no external evidence required.



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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.

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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.

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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

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Religious Studies

38

11 Dec 2025

1 page

Understanding the Ontological Argument in A-Level Philosophy

user profile picture

clara

@iiihearttaehyun

The ontological argument is one of philosophy's most fascinating attempts to prove God's existence using pure logic rather than evidence from the world around us. This argument claims that once you properly understand what God is, you'll realise he must... Show more

Argued existence isn't a property or perfection
that can be added to the concept of an object.
Believed that existence isn't a real predicat

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The Ontological Argument and Its Key Versions

The ontological argument is an a priori proof that tries to demonstrate God's existence through reason alone, without relying on empirical evidence. The term 'ontos' means 'of being', and this argument claims that God has aseity - he contains within himself the means of his existence, making his existence necessary.

Anselm's first proof defines God as "that than which nothing greater can be conceived." He argues that if we can think of this greatest possible being, it must exist in reality, not just in our minds. Why? Because existence in reality is greater than existence only in thought.

Anselm's second proof introduces necessary existence versus contingent existence. A necessary being exists in all possible worlds and cannot be conceived not to exist, whilst contingent beings depend on external factors. If God exists necessarily, he's greater than anything that exists contingently.

Descartes' version focuses on perfection, arguing that God possesses all perfections, including existence. Since existence is a perfection, and a perfect being lacking existence would be contradictory, God must exist in reality.

Key Point: All ontological arguments share the core idea that God's existence follows logically from the concept of God itself - no external evidence required.

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4.8/5

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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