A Proof: Anselm’s Reducto Ad Absurdium

15 novembre 2020
by A. Adedapo
3 min read
147 Comments

From:Chapter 12: Fallacies and biases

Bernard: What evidence do you have for the existence of God?”

Hélène: I think “religions can have a good psychological effect on people, therefore God must exist”.

Bernard: But believing in the religion of “worshipping flowers” may have a positive psychological effect on some people, but that is not evidence for the existence of God. 

Hélène: Are you saying that my argument is a red herring?

Bernard: Yes, because you can have a religion that does not require the existence of a god.

Hélène: But believing in God may have a positive psychological effect on people, as well.

Bernard: Yes, but you have not given me a valid argument for the existence of God. 

Hélène: But what do you mean by God or a religion? I think the flower religion could also be a world view.

Bernard: Possibly, but if we define God as a being “whom no other greater can be considered to exist”, then we can discuss the issue.

Hélène: You are using the reducto ad absurdium argument of Anselm [1] to prove the existence of God:

Bernard: The assumption is this: “God exists in the understanding but not in reality”.

Hélène: Anselm’s [2]  first premise is “Existence in reality is greater than existence in the understanding alone”.

Bernard: The second premise is « A being having all of God’s properties plus existence in reality can be conceived of as existing”.

Hélène: From the first and second premise we can say that: “A being greater than God can be conceived of”.

Bernard: “But it is false that a being greater than God can be conceived of”.

Hélène: So, it must be false that God exists in the understanding but not in reality (from the initial assumptions and the premises).

Bernard: So, from the premise that even Anselm’s fool must agree to,“God exists in the understanding”.

Hélène: “Hence God exists in reality”.

Bernard: And that is Anselm’s proof!

Helene: St. Anselm of Canterbury in the 11th century A.D was the  first, and best-known proponent of ontological arguments. But have other philosophers discussed ontological arguments?

Bernard: Yes, other philosophers such as René Descartes, Gottfried Leibniz, Kurt Gödel, Charles Hartshorne, Norman Malcolm and Alvin Plantinga have all presented “much-discussed ontological” arguments.[3]  

Hélène: But what about my statement “religions can have a good psychological effect on people, therefore God must exist?”

Bernard: Dear Reader, what do you think? 

Hélène: What do you think of Anselm’s argument?

Sources:

[1] Quoted in Understanding Environmental Philosophy, by Andrew Brennan and Y. S. Lo, Acumenpublishing.co.uk, 2010, pp. 115

[2]  Oppy, Graham. “Ontological Arguments.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 6 Feb. 2019, plato.stanford.edu/entries/ontological-arguments.  (Accessed 15th November 2020)

[3]  Oppy, Graham. “Ontological Arguments.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 6 Feb. 2019, plato.stanford.edu/entries/ontological-arguments.  (Accessed 15th November 2020)

About the author

A. Adedapo

View all posts

147 Comments

  • What’s up it’s me, I am also visiting this site
    on a regular basis, this website is genuinely fastidious and the people are really
    sharing pleasant thoughts.

  • I just couldn’t depart your website prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information a person provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back often to check up on new posts

  • Wow! Thank you! I always needed to write on my website something like that. Can I implement a fragment of your post to my website?

  • It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!

  • I like reading a post that can make men and women think. Also,
    thank you for allowing for me to comment!

  • I was just searching for this information for a while. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your web site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this type of informative websites in top of the list. Generally the top websites are full of garbage.

  • What’s up, all is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that’s
    genuinely excellent, keep up writing.

  • I like the helpful info you provide on your articles.

    I’ll bookmark your weblog and take a look at again right
    here frequently. I’m somewhat certain I will be informed
    many new stuff proper right here! Best of luck for the following!

  • Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular article!
    It’s the little changes that produce the biggest changes.
    Thanks for sharing!

  • After I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox
    and from now on whenever a comment is added I receive 4 emails with
    the exact same comment. Is there a way you are able to
    remove me from that service? Kudos!

    Here is my website; Arctos Portable AC – http://www.comptine.biz/modules.php?name=Your_Account&op=userinfo&username=Marcel3616,

  • Thank you for your website post. Thomas and I are actually saving to get a new guide on this
    matter and your article has made all of us to save our money.
    Your opinions really clarified all our questions.
    In fact, above what we had known just before we came upon your great blog.
    My spouse and i no longer have doubts as well as a troubled mind
    because you have completely attended to our own needs above.

    Thanks

    Here is my web blog Luiresse Cream

  • Hi, I do believe this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may come back once again since
    i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the greatest
    way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

  • If some one desires expert view on the topic of blogging afterward i suggest
    him/her to visit this website, Keep up the pleasant job.

  • Wow, wonderful blog structure! How long have you ever been blogging
    for? you made running a blog look easy. The total glance of your web site is great, let alone the content material![X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]I
    simply couldn’t go away your web site before suggesting that I actually loved the usual information a person provide for your visitors?
    Is gonna be again frequently to check up on new posts.

    Also visit my web site Natural Burn Keto Reviews

  • I think this is among the most significant information for me.

    And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The website style
    is perfect, the articles is really excellent :
    D. Good job, cheers

    Also visit my blog: True Burn Keto

  • I am really inspired together with your writing skills and also with the layout in your
    blog. Is this a paid topic or did you customize it yourself?
    Anyway keep up the excellent high quality writing, it is uncommon to see
    a nice blog like this one these days..

    Here is my page: Infinuity CBD

  • Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article!
    It’s the little changes that make the largest changes.
    Many thanks for sharing!

  • Fascinating blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it
    from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out.
    Please let me know where you got your theme. With thanks

    my web site – Bio Shed Keto

  • Hi, There’s no doubt that your blog could possibly be
    having browser compatibility issues. Whenever I take a
    look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in I.E., it’s got
    some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you
    a quick heads up! Other than that, excellent blog!

  • I every time used to study paragraph in news papers but
    now as I am a user of web thus from now I am using net for
    articles, thanks to web.

  • I have been surfing on-line greater than three hours as
    of late, yet I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing
    article like yours. It is lovely worth enough for me.
    Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers
    made just right content material as you probably did,
    the internet shall be a lot more helpful than ever before.

  • Hi there everyone, it’s my first visit at this web page, and
    paragraph is actually fruitful in support of me, keep up posting such content.

  • I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic.
    I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.

    Thanks for wonderful info I was looking for this information for my mission.

  • You should take part in a contest for one of the
    greatest sites on the web. I’m going to recommend this blog!

  • Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff
    previous to and you’re just too excellent. I really like what
    you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it.
    You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep
    it wise. I can’t wait to read much more from you.
    This is really a terrific web site.

  • An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a friend who
    has been doing a little research on this. And he
    actually bought me breakfast due to the fact that
    I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this….
    Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this subject
    here on your blog.

    my web blog :: Infinuity CBD Gummies

  • Ahaa, its fastidious dialogue regarding this post here at this webpage, I have read all that, so now me also
    commenting here.

  • Thank you for your site post. Jones and I are saving for a
    new e-book on this theme and your short article has made us to
    save our own money. Your opinions really resolved all our problems.
    In fact, over what we had acknowledged just before we came upon your
    superb blog. My spouse and i no longer nurture doubts and also a troubled mind because you
    have actually attended to each of our needs here. Thanks

    Look into my web-site :: Vibrance Labs Ketorol Review (Librarius.Main.Jp)

  • I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and check again right here frequently.

    I’m fairly sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here!

    Good luck for the following!

    my homepage :: Luiresse Cream (librarius.main.jp)

    • Hello,
      Thank you for your kind comments. I am glad the blog was useful.
      Ade
      (from practicalthinkingskill.com)

      More here: Compact edition here:US- UK-DE-FR-ES-IT-JP-CA

  • Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It’s the
    little changes that will make the most important changes. Thanks
    a lot for sharing!

  • Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you so much, However
    I am having problems with your RSS. I don’t know why I am unable
    to subscribe to it. Is there anyone else having identical RSS issues?
    Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond?
    Thanks!!

  • I just now wanted to thank you a lot more for your amazing
    blog you have designed here. It truly is full of ideas for those who are seriously interested in this specific
    subject, primarily this very post. Your all so sweet in addition to
    thoughtful of others plus reading the blog posts is an excellent delight if you ask me.
    And exactly what a generous gift! Tom and I will
    certainly have fun making use of your points in what we need to do in a few weeks.
    Our list is a distance long so your tips will certainly be put to
    good use.

    Also visit my page ColonBroom (http://www.meteoritegarden.com)

  • You actually make it seem really easy along with your presentation but I in finding
    this matter to be actually something that I feel I would by no means understand.
    It kind of feels too complex and very extensive for me.
    I am having a look ahead to your subsequent post, I’ll attempt to get the hang of it!

  • I have been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or blog posts on this kind of
    area . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this
    website. Reading this information So i am satisfied
    to show that I’ve a very excellent uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed.

    I such a lot for sure will make certain to don?t put out
    of your mind this web site and give it a look regularly.

  • Excellent blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  • You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be
    really something that I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  • Heya i’m for the primary time here. I found this board and I in finding It really helpful & it helped me out
    much. I hope to give something back and aid others such as you helped me.

  • May I simply just say what a comfort to uncover somebody who really understands
    what they’re talking about on the web. You definitely know how
    to bring an issue to light and make it important.
    More people have to read this and understand this side of the story.
    I can’t believe you aren’t more popular given that you most certainly possess the gift.

  • Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it
    was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say,
    I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything.
    Do you have any tips for first-time blog writers?

    I’d definitely appreciate it.

  • Thanks for the marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.
    I will remember to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back down the road.
    I want to encourage continue your great posts, have
    a nice evening!

  • Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch as I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!

  • It was hard for me to believe that I can read a book of this length. Well, your style definitely captivated my fascination. It was a fantastic article. Great Article Neil. I have read it a couple of days ago, but didn’t make a comment, but felt this article was excellent enough to warrant a thank you, I’ll be applying the tips on my websites shortly!

  • Hi Dear, are you genuinely visiting this web site regularly, if so afterward you
    will definitely take pleasant knowledge.

  • Hi there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so
    I came to take a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking
    and will be tweeting this to my followers! Great blog and fantastic design.

  • What’s up it’s me, I am also visiting this site on a regular basis, this website is
    truly nice and the users are truly sharing pleasant thoughts.

  • Excellent web site. Lots of helpful information here. I am sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your effort!

  • Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after going through some of the posts I
    realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely pleased I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back
    frequently!

  • I am sure this article has touched all the internet
    visitors, its really really nice article on building up new
    blog.

  • Thank you, I have just been looking for info about this subject for a long time and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you certain concerning the source?

  • extremely good examination. I hope it is possible to continue to
    function so that you can add insight created for the
    readers with this website. Too visit my own site to get all the latest articles or blog posts or
    perhaps web log articles about togel.

  • I have been surfing online more than 3 hours these days, but I by no means found any attention-grabbing article like yours. It抯 lovely price sufficient for me. In my view, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content material as you probably did, the internet can be a lot more helpful than ever before.

  • I think this is one of the most vital info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The website style is perfect, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

  • I think that is among the most vital info for me. And i am glad studying your article.
    However wanna remark on some basic issues, The site taste is perfect, the articles is really great : D.
    Excellent task, cheers

  • Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I in finding It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I’m hoping to offer one thing back and help others like you aided me.

  • I used to be very happy to find this web-site.I wished to thanks to your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely having fun with every little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  • Amazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Superb choice of colors!

  • Heya i’m for the primary time here. I came across this board and I
    find It really helpful & it helped me out much.

    I hope to present something back and help others like you aided me.

  • You are so awesome! I don’t believe I’ve truly read anything
    like this before. So good to discover another person with some genuine thoughts on this subject.
    Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is needed on the web,
    someone with a bit of originality!

  • fantastic submit, very informative. I ponder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing. I am sure, you have a great readers’ base already!

  • Very great post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to mention that I’ve truly loved surfing around your weblog posts. After all I will be subscribing on your rss feed and I hope you write once more soon!

  • I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You’re incredible! Thanks!

  • Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!

  • whoah this weblog is fantastic i really like studying your articles.
    Stay up the great work! You understand, a lot of persons are
    searching round for this info, you can help them greatly.

    វិក័យប័ត្រ 100 ដុល្លារពិតប្រាកដសម្រាប់លក់
    លុយដុល្លារក្លែងក្លាយលក់នៅតាកែវ

  • Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that « perfect balance » between usability and appearance. I must say you have done a amazing job with this. In addition, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Firefox. Exceptional Blog!

  • I was more than happy to find this internet-site.I wished to thanks in your time for this excellent read!! I positively enjoying every little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you weblog post.

  • An fascinating discussion is worth comment. I think that you must write extra on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally persons are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers