Introduction to the Study of Religion

The Ontological Argument (St. Anselm -11^th cent.):
"Ontos" = Being, existence

The argument states:

1. God is that perfect being "than which nothing greater can be conceived"

2. Imagine: A God that does not actually exist beyond your imagination

3. Now imagine that God actually existing

4. Which conception of God is greater? The one that has the quality of existence  would be greater than one that does not have the quality of existence

5. Therefore: to be "that than which nothing greater can be conceived", God would have to actually exist not just in imagination but also in actuality

Five classic proofs:

1. God is the unmoved mover/first mover

2. God is the uncaused cause/first cause

3. The unmoved mover and uncaused cause is necessarily self-existent

4. God is the measure of all perfection, the supreme standard of goodness

5. God is the intelligent designer of the cosmos

The argument states:

1. There is order in the world, a complex structure and design which demands a    designer
2. That intelligent designer is God (Aquinas’ fifth argument)
• Analogy serves as proof: God and the world are as a watchmaker to a watch.
• Assumption: order and structure could not occur naturally

Pascal’s Wager (Blaise Pascal - 17th century):
Believe “just in case”: you bet your [eternal] life
Nothing to lose if your belief is wrong (no God to punish you)
Everything to gain if your belief is right (God will reward you)

Does not prove God’s existence, rather, proves the wisdom of believing even in the face of doubt.

• Defines God: rewarder (of right belief) and punisher (of wrong belief)
• Assumption: there is an afterlife in which to be rewarded or punished

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