A/2 Philosophy of Religion  

The Ontological Argument

Revision Questions

Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly; but when they lit a fire in the craft, it sank, proving once and for all that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.

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1. What type of argument is the Ontological Argument? A priori or a posteriori? Why?

2. Who introduced this argument? When? In what book?

3. What is the classical Ontological Argument?

4. Who was the first critic of the OA? What were his objections to it?

5. How did Anselm respond to these criticism?

6. Was Anselm successful in addressing these early criticism? Give reasons for your answers.

7. What is a predicate?

8. How did Descartes develop Anselm's argument?

9. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Descartes argument?

10. Outline the modern versions of the O.A (Malcolm and Plantinga).

11. Assess the success of these versions of the OA.

12. What were Kant's main objections to the OA?

13. Is existence a predicate? Give reasons for your answer.

14. Outline Gottlob Frege's criticisms. Is he right? Why?

15. What is a syllogism? Give one example.

16.  Assess the criticisms of Russell.

17. Outline Brian Davies ideas of the OA.

18. Is the OA successful in proving the existence of God? Give reasons for your answer.