Ontological Argument Essay - 2922 Words

Most people have not witnessed or experienced God and therefore are confused about its existence. In Western theology, three theories have emerged to demonstrate the existence of God. These theories are the ontological argument, the cosmological argument, and the teleological argument. St. Anselm of eleventh century, and Descartes of seventeenth century, have used the ontological argument for proving the existence of God. The God, for them, is supreme, quot;needing nothing outside himself, but needful for the being and well-being of all things.quot; (Pg. 305). St Anselm’s account of the ontological argument for the existence of God deals with the ‘existence in the understanding’ vs. ‘existence in reality.’ He defines God as the†¦show more content†¦308). Hence, it is just as much of a contradiction to think of God (that is, a supremely perfect being) lacking existence (that is, lacking perfection), as it is to think of a mountain without a valley. His theory is that he can’t think of God without it existing and therefore it exists. Also he gives God all kinds of perfection and because existence is one of the perfection, quot;God necessarily exists.quot; (Pg. 309). Kant’s critique of Anselm’s and Descartes’ arguments state that existence is not a perfection because all perfections are qualities, and existence is not any kind of characteristic, quality, attribute, or property. When we say that something exists, Kant argued, we quot;add nothing toquot; our concept of that thing - we merely say that there is something similar to that concept. It follows that no matter how many characteristics of a thing we list; we will still not have answered the question whether there is something having all those characteristics. quot;Being is evidently not a real predicate, or a concept of something that can be added to the concept of a thing. It is merely the admission of a thing, and of certain determinations in it.quot; (Pg. 311). His argument is that it is all right to say that God has certain characteristics but it is another to say that such a God exists. Many contemporary philosophers agree with Kant’s argument, but many othe rs do not. Furthermore, contemporary logicians have developedShow MoreRelatedThe Ontological Argument By Anselm1524 Words   |  7 Pages I will begin my paper by discussing the two major versions of the ontological argument by Anselm presented in the proslogion. The first being â€Å"Possible and actual existence†, and the second being â€Å"Contingent or Necessary†. One should start off with the first summarized in the standard form as follows: #1 It is a conceptual truth that God is a being than which none greater 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, otherRead MoreEssay on The Ontological Argument1589 Words   |  7 PagesThe Ontological Argument The Ontological argument is a group of different philosophers arguments for the existence of God. Ontological literally means talking about being and so in this case, that being is the existence or being of God. The main component of the Ontological argument can be found in the Anselm’s Proslogion which is a short work that tries to demonstrate both the existence and the nature of God. His main aim in writing the Proslogion is not to directly prove the existence ofRead MoreOntological Argument Is Not Reliant On An Posteriori933 Words   |  4 Pages Ontological Argument Saint Anselm created the â€Å"Ontological Argument†. Saint Anselm was the archbishop of Canterbury. The premise of Saint Anselm’s Ontological Argument is that, no greater being can be conceived than God. The Ontological Argument is an a priori or deductive argument. An a priori argument does not have to be supported by real or factual evidence just by reason without observation. Thus, the Ontological Argument is not reliant on an a posteriori premise. An a posteriori argumentRead MoreEssay on The Ontological Argument for the Existence of God1545 Words   |  7 PagesThe Ontological Argument for the Existence of God The ontological argument is an a priori argument. The arguments attempt to prove Gods existence from the meaning of the word God. The ontological argument was introduced by Anselm of Canterbury in his book Proslogion. Anselms classical argument was based on two principals and the two most involved in this is St Anselm of Canterbury as previously mentioned and Rene Descartes. The ontological argument argues thatRead MoreEssay about Ontological Argument Critique 857 Words   |  4 Pagesis a much debated philosophical argument that has mystified philosophers since the age of the ‘Enlightenment.’ Many of the different arguments put forth and analysed though, have not adequately proven God’s existence. Although in order to move forward, failed arguments must be studied to ensure that mistakes are not repeated. One such argument is the Ontological Argument. This argument was first recorded by St. Anslem (1033-1109). Descartes adapts this argument in the fifth meditation in ‘MeditationsRead MoreThe Ontological Argument For The Existence Of God1509 Words   |  7 Pages Descartes’ ontological argument is an echo of the original ontological argument for the existence of God as proposed by St. Anselm in the 11th century. To illustrate the background of the ontological argument, Anselm’s argument works within a distinct framework of ontology that posits the existence of God as necessity by virtue of its definition. In other words, for the mind to conceive of an infinite, perfect God, ultimately implies that there must indeed be a perfect God that embodies existenceRead MoreDescartes Ontological Argument Essay1019 Words   |  5 Pagesreligion, one of Descartes’s most famous arguments is his Ontological proof for the existence of God. It is a proof that one can know God a priori, with no experience whatsoever. Cou ntering Descartes, a philosopher named Caterus raised key objections to his proof, which Descartes later responded to in an intriguing way. Descartes’s reply to Caterus’s critique of the Ontological argument does not properly refute the objections made. Descartes’s Ontological argument begins with the idea of that which isRead MoreEssay on Anselm’s Ontological Argument1217 Words   |  5 PagesThe ontological argument for God’s existence is a work of art resulting from philosophical argumentation. An ontological argument for the existence of God is one that attempts the method of a priori proof, which utilizes intuition and reason alone. The term a priori refers to deductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning is the type of reasoning that proceeds from general principles or premises to derive particular information. The argument works by examining the concept of God, and arguing that it impliesRead MoreDescartes Ontological Argument For The Existence Of God1302 Words   |  6 PagesWord Count: 10/30/2014 Descartes’ Ontological Argument for the Existence of God The Ontological Argument for the existence of God is an a priori argument that aims to demonstrate that God’s real-world existence follows necessarily from the concept of God. In Meditation V of Discourse on Methods and Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes presents his version of the Ontological Argument for the existence of God. In this essay, I will argue that this argument fails because necessary existence forRead MoreAnalysis of Anselms Ontological Argument and the Argument from Evil1448 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis to Anselm’s Ontological Argument and the Argument from Evil The debate of the existence of God had been active since before the first philosopher has pondered the question. Anselm’s Ontological Argument was introduced during the 11th century and had stood deductively valid until the 18th century. Then there are the arguments to aim disprove God, such as the Argument from Evil. The Ontological argument is an a priori deductive argument. That is, an argument relating to being,

Marcellus And Utica Shell And Fracking - 1253 Words

Marcellus/Utica shell Fracking What is Marcellus Shale? It is a marine sedimentary rock buried thousands of feet beneath the earths surfaces. Sedimentary rock is one of the three main rock groups and is formed in four main ways: by the deposition of the weathered remains of other rocks; by the accumulation and the consolidation of sediments; by the deposition of the results of biogenic activity; and by precipitation from solution. Marcellus Shale is found throughout the Allegheny Plateau region of the northern Appalachian basin of North America. It stretches from upstate New York south through Pennsylvania to West Virginia and west to parts of Ohio. Marcellus shale was named after a town in upstate New York, the rock itself is millions of years old, formed from mud and other natural materials. Its made up of the formation of black shale that may contain lime stone beds and concentrations of iron pyrite and siderite. The Sedimentary beds and structure is very well developed. Lighter colored shales in the upper port ion of the formation tend to split into small thin edged fragments after exposure. The fragments may have and leave rust stains from exposure of pyrite to air, and tiny gypsum crystals from the reaction between both of the fragments pyrite and the limestone particles. Fresh exposures of the pyriteiferous shale may develop the secondary mineralization of orange limonite and the pale yellow efflorescence or bloom of sulfur, associated with acidShow MoreRelatedHydraulic Fracturing, The Advantages And Disadvantages2628 Words   |  11 PagesA1: ENERGY RESOURCES CHART 12 FIGURE A2: BRAYTON CYCLE SCHEMATIC 12 FIGURE A3: FRACKING FLUID CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS CHART 13 Executive Summary Introduction Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking) is a widely misunderstood topic surrounded by multiple controversies and unknowns. Some controversies and unknowns include: fracking pollutes the water with gases that several people rely on to drink, causing health side-effects; fracking is a completely safe process and has been working for over 60 years; or the amountRead MoreHydraulic Fracking Essay15746 Words   |  63 PagesHydraulic Fracturing (â€Å"Fracking†) LAS 432 – Technology, Society, and Culture Team B Michael Griffin Mark Hartwick Alena Hutson Kansas Gentry Kevin Gracia Professor Douglas McCoy 8/24/12 Contents Thesis†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Page 3 Abstract†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.Page 3 Hydraulic Fracturing Description†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.Page 4 History of Fracking.....................†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..Page 5 Cultural Context†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Page

Why Do People Attend College or University Free Essays

Why do people attend college or university? After high school graduated, many people will get a job and work in our society. But also many people will choose to attend college or university. If I have a chance in the future, I will definitely go to college. We will write a custom essay sample on Why Do People Attend College or University? or any similar topic only for you Order Now There are two reasons that I think why people will attend college or university. One is can learn more knowledge. Another one is to get a higher paying job. First of all, things that people learn from high school are very basic and shallow. For example, in history class, we might know that George Washington led his army won war and United States became independent. We all got this, but we didn’t know what he did in detail. So we couldn’t say we already get all of that, it was piece of cake. That is wrong. Thus, people will continue to study more and then the better for that is go to college or university. Also some people may want to learn a special skill like how to fix a car, and then they will go to the mechanic university. There are various types of subjects that you can learn more from college or university, just people want to improve themselves. Moreover, people have studied in college or university can get a better opportunity in finding a job when they step into the society formally. Like some people are not so well-off, they will have an idea, â€Å"I need to working harder than the other students. † This thinking brings them into college or university. So they may get a college diploma, master degree, or doctor degree later. So when they apply for a job, the chance they can get into the good company is easier. For instance, to be a manager in the John Hancock Tower, you must get a good salary like more than $8000. The reason to get a higher paying job is to improve your own life. All in all, I think people apply for college or university because of those two reasons. But also you can meet a lot of intelligent friends, who can help you in the future, and you will become a good boy or girl with them by the influence form those friends. But anyway, â€Å"no pain, no gain. † How to cite Why Do People Attend College or University?, Essay examples

Reformation in continental Europe and England and Essay Example For Students

Reformation in continental Europe and England and Essay its consequencesReformation is the religious revolution that took place in Western Europe in the 16th century. It arose from objections to doctrines and practices in the medieval church, loss of papal authority and credibility as well as other societal, political and economical issues of the time. This revolution had a major impact on Europe and it gave way to short term and long-term consequences, which still can be seen today. There were many causes of Reformation, some go as far back as the fourteenth century. One of the main ones was that the papal authority and credibility were damaged. This was done through, Avignon papacy, a time where the headquarters of the Holy See had to be moved from Rome to Avignon, it brought uncertainty to the people, as they did not trust the Pope, and believed the Pope favoured the French. Following this, the Great Western Schism also contributed to the loss of papal authority as it split Christian Europe into hostile camps, because three different men were claiming to be the true Pope, each having some support from different kings and princes of Europe. Finally, the corruption of the Renaissance papacy, such as that of Alexander VI (who did not keep the celibacy vow) resulted in loss of papal credibility. As the Holy See was not as powerful anymore, it was suffering from attacks on the papacy. Many felt that the Pope and his Bishops had developed into an abusive feudal monarchy. They were not happy that the Church was concentrating on making profits and not on the spiritual well being of people. Early reformation movements such as the Lollards and the Hussites that were founded by John Wycliffe and John Huss respectively were suppressed for their attacks on the papacy. People also resented the Church, because of practices such the indulgences a when individuals paid to church for forgiveness of their sins. The society was aware that the higher clergy was interested in political power, material possessions, and privileged position in public life. Many bishops and abbots (in some countries they were territorial princes) thought of themselves as secular rulers and not as servants of the Church. Members of the Church went to great lengths to increase their income, sometimes even uniting E piscopal sees to boost their funds and power. Basic obligations were abused practice of celibacy was not always observed. This resulted in lowering of moral standards of the clergy. The former prestige of clergy has vanished; people regarded them with disrespect and lost their faith in the Church As well as above causes, Renaissance a a period of great cultural rebirth was a catalyst for Reformation. It raised the level of education and brought about new scientific discoveries. Renaissance emphasized biblical languages, and allowed for critical analysis of the Bible. This led to different doctrinal interpretations such as that of Martin Luther in Germany, who was convinced that salvation came through faith in Jesus and not the sacraments of Church and John Calvin in Switzerland, who believed God has decided the destiny of a person and nothing could change this. The invention of printing by Johann Gutenberg provided a powerful instrument for the spread of these learning and Reformat ion ideas e.g John Calvinas aInstitutes of the Christian religiona. This sped up the Reformation because it allowed widespread broadcasting of criticism of the Church around Europe. While these were the main causes of Reformation in continental Europe, in England, King Henry VIII initiated the Reformation. Henry VIII wanted to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, after she had failed to produce a male heir to the throne. However, a divorce was not a simple issue. Henry VIII was a Roman Catholic and the Roman Catholic faith believed in marriage for life. It did not recognise, let alone support, divorce. He also wanted to prevent the interference of foreign powers in the national and international affairs of the country. By initiating the Reformation, Henry VIII intended to change the organization of the Church, its doctrines and methods regarding worship and make himself the Supreme Head of Church, which would allow for divorce. Julius Caesar Argumentative EssayMany causes and key individuals contributed to Reformation, a movement that reformed important doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the establishment of the Protestant churches. The consequences of Reformation varied across Europe, but the main outcomes were the further split of Christian Church and the numerous wars that caused deep disagreements, which still can be felt today.