Active learning ideas
Ontological arguments are unique in philosophy because they attempt to prove God's existence a priori, using nothing but the definition of God. This topic focuses on the classic formulations by St Anselm and Descartes, as well as Norman Malcolm's modern modal version. Students must evaluate whether existence can truly be a 'perfection' or a 'predicate' that adds to a concept.
Activity 01
One student plays Gaunilo, arguing for the existence of a 'perfect island' using Anselm's logic, while the other plays Anselm trying to explain why the logic only applies to God. This helps students identify the 'special' nature of the concept of God in this argument.
Can existence be considered a predicate?
Activity 02
Stations around the room list different words (e.g., 'green', 'heavy', 'exists', 'expensive'). Students move in groups to discuss whether each word changes our concept of an object or simply tells us something about its status in the world, mirroring Kant's objection.
Does the concept of a greatest conceivable being necessitate its existence?
Activity 03
Students work in groups to break down Norman Malcolm's argument into a series of logical steps on a whiteboard. They must identify the exact point where the argument moves from 'logical possibility' to 'necessary existence'.
How effective is Gaunilo's perfect island objection?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Anselm is just saying 'God exists because the Bible says so'.
Anselm's argument is purely logical and does not rely on scripture. Peer-teaching the 'reductio ad absurdum' structure helps students see it as a formal logical proof rather than a statement of faith.
Kant's objection that 'existence is not a predicate' means God doesn't exist.
Kant is only arguing that the ontological argument fails as a proof, not that the conclusion is false. Using hands-on examples of describing a 'hundred thalers' helps students see that adding 'exists' doesn't change the description.
Methods used in this brief
The Concept and Nature of God
Students examine the traditional divine attributes, including omniscience, omnipotence, and supreme goodness. They will analyse the logical coherence of these concepts and potential paradoxes.
8 methodologies
Teleological Arguments
Students analyse design arguments from Aquinas, Paley, and Swinburne. The topic includes critical evaluation using Hume's objections and the theory of evolution.
8 methodologies
Cosmological Arguments
A study of arguments from causation and contingency, including Aquinas' First and Third Ways, and Descartes' cosmological argument. Students will assess objections regarding infinite regress.
8 methodologies