Rethinking the Ontological Argument

Rethinking the Ontological Argument

Author: Daniel A. Dombrowski

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2006-05-29

Total Pages: 12

ISBN-13: 1139457144

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In recent years, the ontological argument and theistic metaphysics have been criticised by philosophers working in both the analytic and continental traditions. Responses to these criticisms have primarily come from philosophers who make use of the traditional, and problematic, concept of God. In this volume, Daniel A. Dombrowski defends the ontological argument against its contemporary critics, but he does so by using a neoclassical or process concept of God, thereby strengthening the case for a contemporary theistic metaphysics. Relying on the thought of Charles Hartshorne, he builds on Hartshorne's crucial distinction between divine existence and divine actuality, which enables neoclassical defenders of the ontological argument to avoid the familiar criticism that the argument moves illegitimately from an abstract concept to concrete reality. His argument, thus, avoids the problems inherent in the traditional concept of God as static.


Book Synopsis Rethinking the Ontological Argument by : Daniel A. Dombrowski

Download or read book Rethinking the Ontological Argument written by Daniel A. Dombrowski and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2006-05-29 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In recent years, the ontological argument and theistic metaphysics have been criticised by philosophers working in both the analytic and continental traditions. Responses to these criticisms have primarily come from philosophers who make use of the traditional, and problematic, concept of God. In this volume, Daniel A. Dombrowski defends the ontological argument against its contemporary critics, but he does so by using a neoclassical or process concept of God, thereby strengthening the case for a contemporary theistic metaphysics. Relying on the thought of Charles Hartshorne, he builds on Hartshorne's crucial distinction between divine existence and divine actuality, which enables neoclassical defenders of the ontological argument to avoid the familiar criticism that the argument moves illegitimately from an abstract concept to concrete reality. His argument, thus, avoids the problems inherent in the traditional concept of God as static.


Rethinking the Ontological Argument

Rethinking the Ontological Argument

Author: Daniel A. Dombrowski

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 182

ISBN-13: 9780511225888

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Book Synopsis Rethinking the Ontological Argument by : Daniel A. Dombrowski

Download or read book Rethinking the Ontological Argument written by Daniel A. Dombrowski and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 182 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Rethinking Anselm's Arguments

Rethinking Anselm's Arguments

Author: Richard Campbell

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2018-07-23

Total Pages: 547

ISBN-13: 9004363661

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This book re-examines Anselm’s famous arguments for the existence of God. It demonstrates how he validly deduces from plausible premises that God exists most truly of all. The standard criticisms are shown to be based on misreading the text.


Book Synopsis Rethinking Anselm's Arguments by : Richard Campbell

Download or read book Rethinking Anselm's Arguments written by Richard Campbell and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2018-07-23 with total page 547 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book re-examines Anselm’s famous arguments for the existence of God. It demonstrates how he validly deduces from plausible premises that God exists most truly of all. The standard criticisms are shown to be based on misreading the text.


Ontological Arguments and Belief in God

Ontological Arguments and Belief in God

Author: Graham Oppy

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1996-01-26

Total Pages: 400

ISBN-13: 9780521481205

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This book is a unique contribution to the philosophy of religion. It offers a comprehensive discussion of one of the most famous arguments for the existence of God: the ontological argument. The author provides and analyzes a critical taxonomy of those versions of the argument that have been advanced in recent philosophical literature, as well as of those historically important versions found in the work of St. Anselm, Descartes, Leibniz, Hegel and others.


Book Synopsis Ontological Arguments and Belief in God by : Graham Oppy

Download or read book Ontological Arguments and Belief in God written by Graham Oppy and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1996-01-26 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is a unique contribution to the philosophy of religion. It offers a comprehensive discussion of one of the most famous arguments for the existence of God: the ontological argument. The author provides and analyzes a critical taxonomy of those versions of the argument that have been advanced in recent philosophical literature, as well as of those historically important versions found in the work of St. Anselm, Descartes, Leibniz, Hegel and others.


The Many-Faced Argument

The Many-Faced Argument

Author: John Hick

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2009-04-24

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 1725225905

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The Many-Faced Argument presents a compilation of essays on the ontogical argument for the existence of God, covering responses to Anselm's position in the first half, and, in the second half, covering developments of the argument in the context of modern philosophy. Along with contibutions by editors Hick and McGill, other writers include Karl Barth, Andre Hayden, Anselm Stolz, Bertrand Russell, Jerome Shaffer, Gilbert Ryle, Aime Forest, Norman Malcolm, and Charles Hartshorne. While interest in the the ontological argument has arisen from various disciplines -- historical, theological and philosophical -- the purpose of this book is to bring these varied writings together so that scholars and students within each discipline may have contributions from other fields readily available.


Book Synopsis The Many-Faced Argument by : John Hick

Download or read book The Many-Faced Argument written by John Hick and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2009-04-24 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Many-Faced Argument presents a compilation of essays on the ontogical argument for the existence of God, covering responses to Anselm's position in the first half, and, in the second half, covering developments of the argument in the context of modern philosophy. Along with contibutions by editors Hick and McGill, other writers include Karl Barth, Andre Hayden, Anselm Stolz, Bertrand Russell, Jerome Shaffer, Gilbert Ryle, Aime Forest, Norman Malcolm, and Charles Hartshorne. While interest in the the ontological argument has arisen from various disciplines -- historical, theological and philosophical -- the purpose of this book is to bring these varied writings together so that scholars and students within each discipline may have contributions from other fields readily available.


A Conversaunt Existence

A Conversaunt Existence

Author: G. Bradley Nelson

Publisher: WestBow Press

Published: 2015-04-17

Total Pages: 129

ISBN-13: 1490875034

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Discussions about existence have generally come through the subject of philosophy. The thinking and thoughts about God's existence are well documented. Both sides of the standard arguments for God's existence have been presented. Current thinking has turned to evolutionary concepts that deny God exists or claims that God is a mere impersonal force. However, the time has come for a fresh look into how man can know of God's existence. A Conversaunt Existence is just such a look. Changes have been made to the standard arguments for God's existence. New avenues of thought have been incorporated to corroborate these changes. There are reasons for directing our thoughts toward God's existing: First, it's foolish to let others steer one's thinking into denying God's existence. Ultimately, God wants everyone to respond to His invitation, accept His lifesaving and life-giving message, and participate in writing His story. KIRKUS REVIEW A short treatise on existence with an emphasis on the existence of God. Nelson harkens back to a premodern era by using the archaic word "conversaunt" in place of "conversant" in his title. In doing so, he honors the fact that humankind has always experienced existence as a common form of knowledge. Nelson's work, though deeply philosophical in content, is meant from the beginning to have a personal impact on the reader and not just be merely theoretical in nature. Moreover, his overarching goal is to demonstrate the existence of a personal and involved God. Such authors as C.S. Lewis and Soren Kierkegaard help lead the way. In order to show that the human race is capable of understanding and even connecting with a God figure, Nelson coins a new term intercomplexicate which describes a self-consciousness that is able to make quick evaluations of complex ideas, leading to moral understanding. The author discusses both the strengths and weaknesses of ontological arguments for God's existence and also attempts to disprove popular scientific arguments against the existence of a deity. The idea of contingency (that existence can only occur due to a prior cause) is of great importance in later chapters, as Nelson argues that existence must be contingent on a "necessary being," such as a primary mover or first cause. In closing, the author provides a case not merely for a creator ("watchmaker") God, but for a personal God who continues to be involved with creation. Nelson has a penchant for mixing theoretical and philosophical verbiage with nonstandard language (such as using "by da vey" instead of "by the way" or comparing God with Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation). He seems to be seeking a balance between the often opaque material he presents and the personal effect he hopes to have on readers. This balance, unfortunately, is rarely found. Nevertheless, Nelson provides sound arguments worthy of further reflection. Review questions after each chapter are helpful for guiding and focusing the reader. A thoughtful, refreshing argument for God's existence.


Book Synopsis A Conversaunt Existence by : G. Bradley Nelson

Download or read book A Conversaunt Existence written by G. Bradley Nelson and published by WestBow Press. This book was released on 2015-04-17 with total page 129 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discussions about existence have generally come through the subject of philosophy. The thinking and thoughts about God's existence are well documented. Both sides of the standard arguments for God's existence have been presented. Current thinking has turned to evolutionary concepts that deny God exists or claims that God is a mere impersonal force. However, the time has come for a fresh look into how man can know of God's existence. A Conversaunt Existence is just such a look. Changes have been made to the standard arguments for God's existence. New avenues of thought have been incorporated to corroborate these changes. There are reasons for directing our thoughts toward God's existing: First, it's foolish to let others steer one's thinking into denying God's existence. Ultimately, God wants everyone to respond to His invitation, accept His lifesaving and life-giving message, and participate in writing His story. KIRKUS REVIEW A short treatise on existence with an emphasis on the existence of God. Nelson harkens back to a premodern era by using the archaic word "conversaunt" in place of "conversant" in his title. In doing so, he honors the fact that humankind has always experienced existence as a common form of knowledge. Nelson's work, though deeply philosophical in content, is meant from the beginning to have a personal impact on the reader and not just be merely theoretical in nature. Moreover, his overarching goal is to demonstrate the existence of a personal and involved God. Such authors as C.S. Lewis and Soren Kierkegaard help lead the way. In order to show that the human race is capable of understanding and even connecting with a God figure, Nelson coins a new term intercomplexicate which describes a self-consciousness that is able to make quick evaluations of complex ideas, leading to moral understanding. The author discusses both the strengths and weaknesses of ontological arguments for God's existence and also attempts to disprove popular scientific arguments against the existence of a deity. The idea of contingency (that existence can only occur due to a prior cause) is of great importance in later chapters, as Nelson argues that existence must be contingent on a "necessary being," such as a primary mover or first cause. In closing, the author provides a case not merely for a creator ("watchmaker") God, but for a personal God who continues to be involved with creation. Nelson has a penchant for mixing theoretical and philosophical verbiage with nonstandard language (such as using "by da vey" instead of "by the way" or comparing God with Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation). He seems to be seeking a balance between the often opaque material he presents and the personal effect he hopes to have on readers. This balance, unfortunately, is rarely found. Nevertheless, Nelson provides sound arguments worthy of further reflection. Review questions after each chapter are helpful for guiding and focusing the reader. A thoughtful, refreshing argument for God's existence.


The Ontological Argument, from St. Anselm to Contemporary Philosophers

The Ontological Argument, from St. Anselm to Contemporary Philosophers

Author: Alvin Plantinga

Publisher:

Published: 1965

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis The Ontological Argument, from St. Anselm to Contemporary Philosophers by : Alvin Plantinga

Download or read book The Ontological Argument, from St. Anselm to Contemporary Philosophers written by Alvin Plantinga and published by . This book was released on 1965 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The Many-faced Argument

The Many-faced Argument

Author: Arthur C. McGill

Publisher:

Published: 1967

Total Pages: 373

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis The Many-faced Argument by : Arthur C. McGill

Download or read book The Many-faced Argument written by Arthur C. McGill and published by . This book was released on 1967 with total page 373 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The Necessity of God

The Necessity of God

Author: R. T. Allen

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-07-28

Total Pages: 133

ISBN-13: 135147877X

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Every person acquires a worldview, a picture of reality. Within that picture, the existence of some things will be taken wholly for granted as the background to, and support of, everything else. Their existence will rarely be questioned. The cosmos or universe, the gods, God, Brahman, Heaven, the Absolute--R. T. Allen claims that all these and other world- views have been held to be that which necessarily exists and upon which all other beings depend in one way or another.European philosophers, since antiquity, have offered arguments to show that their chosen candidates for the role of the necessary being or beings that support the rest of reality do actually exist. The Necessity of God sets the valid core of previous ontological arguments. It does not and cannot prove that God exists, but only that something necessarily exists. In an a priori manner and without inferring anything from what in fact exists, Allen proceeds to show that which necessarily exists is one, transfinite, eternal, and the archetype of personal existence: in short, that it is God as classically conceived. As for everything else that may exist, it must be finite and dependent for its existence upon God as its creator and sustainer.Few things are more erroneous in philosophy and disastrous in practice than artificial constructions produced without constant reference to concrete reality. That which necessarily exists may be the one exception. Before this constructive argument, Allen examines previous examples of ontological arguments in order to show exactly where they go wrong and to extract the valid core obscured within them. This will make clear the difference between them and his new version. The reader who is eager to engage the philosophical sources of belief will find a distinct treasure in The Necessity of God.


Book Synopsis The Necessity of God by : R. T. Allen

Download or read book The Necessity of God written by R. T. Allen and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-07-28 with total page 133 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Every person acquires a worldview, a picture of reality. Within that picture, the existence of some things will be taken wholly for granted as the background to, and support of, everything else. Their existence will rarely be questioned. The cosmos or universe, the gods, God, Brahman, Heaven, the Absolute--R. T. Allen claims that all these and other world- views have been held to be that which necessarily exists and upon which all other beings depend in one way or another.European philosophers, since antiquity, have offered arguments to show that their chosen candidates for the role of the necessary being or beings that support the rest of reality do actually exist. The Necessity of God sets the valid core of previous ontological arguments. It does not and cannot prove that God exists, but only that something necessarily exists. In an a priori manner and without inferring anything from what in fact exists, Allen proceeds to show that which necessarily exists is one, transfinite, eternal, and the archetype of personal existence: in short, that it is God as classically conceived. As for everything else that may exist, it must be finite and dependent for its existence upon God as its creator and sustainer.Few things are more erroneous in philosophy and disastrous in practice than artificial constructions produced without constant reference to concrete reality. That which necessarily exists may be the one exception. Before this constructive argument, Allen examines previous examples of ontological arguments in order to show exactly where they go wrong and to extract the valid core obscured within them. This will make clear the difference between them and his new version. The reader who is eager to engage the philosophical sources of belief will find a distinct treasure in The Necessity of God.


Understanding Anselm's Ontological Argument

Understanding Anselm's Ontological Argument

Author: Guy Jackson

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2023-09-25

Total Pages: 82

ISBN-13: 3031415353

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Anselm's ontological argument is one of the most fascinating, most controversial, and most misunderstood arguments in the entire history of Western thought. By centring the argument firmly in the Neoplatonic tradition within which Anselm was writing, Understanding Anselm's Ontological Argument sheds fresh light and clarity on this enigmatic piece of philosophy. It argues that, far from resting upon a fallacy or illegitimately attempting to define God into existence, Anselm's argument is a powerful and plausible philosophical proof, and deserves to be taken seriously as such. Written to be understandable for specialists and non-specialists alike, Understanding Anselm's Ontological Argument is ideal for scholars and researchers in philosophy of religion and philosophy in the Middle Ages (especially Neoplatonism) as well as for medievalists in general.


Book Synopsis Understanding Anselm's Ontological Argument by : Guy Jackson

Download or read book Understanding Anselm's Ontological Argument written by Guy Jackson and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2023-09-25 with total page 82 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Anselm's ontological argument is one of the most fascinating, most controversial, and most misunderstood arguments in the entire history of Western thought. By centring the argument firmly in the Neoplatonic tradition within which Anselm was writing, Understanding Anselm's Ontological Argument sheds fresh light and clarity on this enigmatic piece of philosophy. It argues that, far from resting upon a fallacy or illegitimately attempting to define God into existence, Anselm's argument is a powerful and plausible philosophical proof, and deserves to be taken seriously as such. Written to be understandable for specialists and non-specialists alike, Understanding Anselm's Ontological Argument is ideal for scholars and researchers in philosophy of religion and philosophy in the Middle Ages (especially Neoplatonism) as well as for medievalists in general.