Gaunilo's Perfect Island Argument
I will be discussing Anselm’s Ontological Argument and why I believe it is a successful argument besides the objections posed. Anselm’s argument is an argument in which he seeks to prove that God exists using a reduction ad absurdum form of argument. There are two objections to this argument which I will discuss and provide what I believe to be successful responses to prove the objections ineffective. The first objection which I will discuss Gaunilo’s Perfect “Island Objection”, which applies this “perfect island” argument in the same form as Anselm’s argument. The second island which I will discuss is that “Existence is not a predicate” which basically argues that Anselm’s claims that “God exists” which insinuates existence as a predicate.
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154.). An extension of this definition would be that God is omniscient, omnibenevolent and omnipotent and God is the creator of the universe. (Chapman, 2016/02/22). Anselm definition of God can be explained that God is the greatest being; God is so great that no better being can be …show more content…
Anselm’s definition is that God is the greatest being; God has all the best qualities that any being can have. Thus it is absolutely inconceivable to think of anything greater because God is regarded the greatest being. The second approach in rejecting this argument is that God is not a thing in which you can imagine, God is not physical like an island, so the two are incomparable when trying to imagine the perfect one (Chapman, Lecture Discussion, 2016/02/22). Another way in which I reject this objection is in saying that there are many islands in which you can compare and draw inspiration on in order to try create an ideal island in one’s mind, however it will never be a flawless island because you can always think of something greater. Considering the concept of God, there is no being comparable to God as there are islands to inspire “Perfect Island” in one’s thoughts. The concept of God is uncertain in that there are no other beings in which one can even begin try to conceive parallels or even sub-parallels; it is impossible to hypothesise such grand God when there is nothing comparable. This supports Anselm’s argument in that it substantiates that God is unimaginable and so inconceivably great. Gaunilo’s argument works in showing
154.). An extension of this definition would be that God is omniscient, omnibenevolent and omnipotent and God is the creator of the universe. (Chapman, 2016/02/22). Anselm definition of God can be explained that God is the greatest being; God is so great that no better being can be …show more content…
Anselm’s definition is that God is the greatest being; God has all the best qualities that any being can have. Thus it is absolutely inconceivable to think of anything greater because God is regarded the greatest being. The second approach in rejecting this argument is that God is not a thing in which you can imagine, God is not physical like an island, so the two are incomparable when trying to imagine the perfect one (Chapman, Lecture Discussion, 2016/02/22). Another way in which I reject this objection is in saying that there are many islands in which you can compare and draw inspiration on in order to try create an ideal island in one’s mind, however it will never be a flawless island because you can always think of something greater. Considering the concept of God, there is no being comparable to God as there are islands to inspire “Perfect Island” in one’s thoughts. The concept of God is uncertain in that there are no other beings in which one can even begin try to conceive parallels or even sub-parallels; it is impossible to hypothesise such grand God when there is nothing comparable. This supports Anselm’s argument in that it substantiates that God is unimaginable and so inconceivably great. Gaunilo’s argument works in showing