Introduction and Thesis
The existence of God occurs as one of the most widely coveted topics that have generated intense debate across various settings all around the globe. In fact, God’s existence has and continues to boggle various individuals drawn from various religions including Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism. Across various religious doctrines, God is perceived to be all-powerful being with immense and unconceivable “might.” Across all the religions God occurs as the principle subject that is often preached, worshipped and discussed. According to St. Anselm, the existence of an all-powerful being is a conception of the mind. Precisely, St, Anselm notes that God only exists as an idea, in that human beings cannot think of any other being that is greater than God (Geis 64). As a result of such imagination, St. Anselm concludes that God is the most Supreme Being since we cannot imagine anything else that is greater and mightier than God. In this paper, I will argue against of St. Anselm’s philosophical argument for the existence of God.
Discussion
One of the most comprehensive reasons as to why I am opposed to St. Anselm’s arguments for the existence of God is the primary fact that the arguments are not based on empirical evidence. Notably, Anselm’s ontological arguments for the existence of God assert that the existence of a superlative being is an absolute truth that cannot be opposed. Such an argument is not based on any empirical evidence, but is just a mere illusion that is conceived by an individual’s mind. In fact, Anselm’s ontological arguments for God’s existence are based on mere conception, which deduce God’s existence on the basis of ideas that people have regarding God (Geis 150).
St. Anselm’s arguments are only applicable to people with faith
In addition, I am opposed to St. Anselm’s arguments for the existence of God based on the primary fact that the arguments may only be true for people who have faith. Anselm defends his argument for God’s existence basing on rational arguments, which offer substantive evidence on the existence of God. However, such arguments may only sound true if God reveals Himself to human beings, which can only happen to the faithful. God’s revelation to an individual is perhaps the only means through which Gods existence can be ascertained. With regards to this Anselm ontological arguments note that is God did not exist, then He would not be able to reveal himself (Geis 18). In a nutshell, Gods existence as argued by Anselm may only be true if an individual understands the concept of trinity.
God is not significant to every individual
Another reason that supports my opposition for Anselm’s arguments for God’s existence is the fact that God is not significant to every person. In fact, God may not mean the same thing to every person. St. Aquinas supports this notion by indicating that people have different perceptions about God. For this purpose, God’s existence is only understandable and feasible amongst people who have perceive God in a similar way (Geis 27). Furthermore, the mere fact that people have a similar perception on God existence does not necessarily that God existence is real.
Conclusions
Work Cited
Geis, Robert J. On the Existence of God. Plymouth, U.K: University Press of America, 2010. Print.
