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“God Exists”. ???????. “God Exists”. REALISM VS ANTI-REALISM. “I exist” “prime numbers exist” “the off side rule exists” “God exists”. Clearly, when we talk about existence, we don’t always imply the same thing. “God Exists” – Realist View. Spacio -Temporal existence like you or me?
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“God Exists” ???????
“God Exists” REALISM VS ANTI-REALISM • “I exist” • “prime numbers exist” • “the off side rule exists” • “God exists” Clearly, when we talk about existence, we don’t always imply the same thing.
“God Exists” – Realist View • Spacio-Temporal existence like you or me? • A Posteriori means would be a more valid way of proving God’s existence. • Realism would demand this kind of view • Cannot be verified – therefore meaningless to talk about God existing?
“God Exists” Anti Realist View • This can only ever be true or false for you • If it corresponds to a particular form of life • Has meaning & value for a religious believer • God has no objective reality • Faith claim (“blik”)
Vardy’s suggestion • Perhaps this is what Anselm was driving at all along? • Once you have understood what God means / is all about then God exists for you – a conscious decision to live a life in faith. • Ties in nicely with the fact the original Ontological argument was a prayer.
Hmmmm….. • Is this good enough though? • Prayer has no purpose other than to bring about a change in the self (closer to meditation than conversation) • God is not creator of universe nor an active part of it. • If we want to talk about whether “God exists” is true, do we need to demand that it is an objective truth?