Anselm's Ontological Argument

What is Standard Argument Form?

 

The standard form of an argument is a way of presenting the argument which makes clear which are premises, how many premises there are and which proposition is the conclusion. In standard form, the conclusion of the argument is listed last.

 

In a standard argument, you must have at least one premise and only one conclusion. 

 

 

P = Premise (add a number with each premise you add such as P3, it is your third premise). These are your reasons for your conclusion.

 

SC = Sub conclusion (use this if you need to make a conclusion in something else before the main conclusion of the arguement. Usually, this is only done if another conclusion needs to be made to get to the final conclusion).

 

C = Conclusion (This is the concluding result of your premises, this is your last statement that determines the result of the arguement).

 

Why does Standard Argumentation Matter?

 

It matters because this is the standard way widely accepted by the world as the structure and form for an academic argument. For many of the arguments that directly deal with reason, this format will  be used to show the unity with current academic tradition and christian apologetics. 

 

Anselm's Ontological Argument

 

P1: It is a greater thing for a thing to exist in the mind and in reality than in the mind alone.

 

P2: “God” means “that which a greater cannot be thought”.

 

P3: Suppose that God exists in the mind and not in reality.

 

P4: Then a greater than that idea of God can be thought (a being that has all the properties of God plus existence).

 

P5: However, since God must be the greatest, it is impossible for God to be lesser and only in the mind.

 

C: Therefore God exists in the mind and in reality.

 

Sources: Peter Kreeft and Ronald Tacelli