Page 13 - AIU Distance Learning Courses - Sample

In addition to the teleological arguments for God’s existence and in observing the creation, there are
some logical arguments.

The Teleological Argument

Ontological argument
A second argument for the existence of God is the ontological argument. The most popular form of the
ontological argument uses the concept of God to prove God’s existence. It begins with the definition of
God as “a being than which no greater can be conceived.” It is then argued that to exist is greater than
to not exist, and therefore the greatest conceivable being must exist. If God did not exist, then God
would not be the greatest conceivable being, and that would contradict the very definition of God.
Here is a simple and logical process to show ontologically that God exists:

1. It is a conceptual truth (or, so to speak, true by definition) that God is a being than which none
greater can be imagined (that is, the greatest possible being that can be imagined).
2. God exists as an idea in the mind.
3. A being that exists as an idea in the mind and in reality is, other things being equal, greater than
a being that exists only as an idea in the mind.
4. Thus, if God exists only as an idea in the mind, then we can imagine something that is greater than
God (that is, a greatest possible being that does exist).
5. But we cannot imagine something that is greater than God (for it is a contradiction to suppose
that we can imagine a being greater than the greatest possible being that can be imagined.)
6. Therefore, God exists.

Most people can think in these terms, so perhaps this argument, while interesting, is not one that would
enhance your defense in demonstrating the existence of God.

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