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Descartes

Descartes. 5 th Meditation. Ontological Argument. Original Argument (Anselm 11 th Century) God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived. That than which nothing greater can be conceived exists in the mind .

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Descartes

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  1. Descartes 5th Meditation

  2. Ontological Argument Original Argument (Anselm 11th Century) • God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived. • That than which nothing greater can be conceived exists in the mind. • If that than which nothing greater exists in the mind and not in reality then it is not that than which nothing greater can be conceived. • Therefore, God must exists in the mind and in reality.

  3. Descartes’ Version • Everything that is true also exists • Whatever is distinctly and clearly known is true. • I am certain that I find in me the idea of a perfect being. • I know clearly and distinctly that actual eternal existence pertains to the nature of a perfect being. • Therefore, God exists is as certain as any truth of mathematics.

  4. Essence and Existence • The essence of a thing tells us what it is. • The existence of a thing tells us that it is. • However, in God existence is part of his essence, that is, to be is part of what God is. • “…it appears that the existence can no more be separated from the essence of God than the idea of a mountain from that of a valley” (155).

  5. God and knowledge • God is the foundation of all knowledge. • “…but I remark further that the certitude of all other truths is so absolutely dependent on it, that without this knowledge it is impossible ever to know anything perfectly” (158). • “And thus I very clearly see that the certitude and truth of all science depends on the knowledge alone of the true God, …” (159)

  6. God and Knowledge • “…but I remark further that the certitude of all other truths is so absolutely dependent on it, that without this knowledge it is impossible ever to know anything perfectly.” 158 • “And thus I very clearly see that the certitude and truth of all science depends on the knowledge alone of the true God.” 159

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