The ontological argument and the problem of existence in analytic philosophy Cover Image

The ontological argument and the problem of existence in analytic philosophy
The ontological argument and the problem of existence in analytic philosophy

Author(s): Vlad Andreica
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Editura Universităţii din Bucureşti
Keywords: God; necessary existence; ontological argument; perfection; modal logic;

Summary/Abstract: In the recent decades, the ontological argument has been both criticized and defended by philosophers working in the analytic tradition. The modal versions of the ontological arguments have gained the proper attention in the works of philosophers like Norman Malcolm, Charles Hartshorne, Alvin Plantinga, Daniel Dombrovski or Graham Oppy. It was deemed that the argument from the third chapter is a modal argument, that may be seen as an independent argument, as it is not ascertained that God exists, but that God exists with necessity, which changes the coordinates of the discussions related to ontological argument. The modal arguments compared to „classical arguments” in favor of God’s existence are based on the fact that the ordinary existence may be considered an imperfection and solely the necessary existence must be considered a perfection.

  • Issue Year: V/2011
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 61-74
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: English