Author:
Wade A. Tisthammer
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Date Posted: 04/18/02 1:29pm
In reply to:
David
's message, "*giggle*" on 04/18/02 12:57pm
>Thanks, maybe it will work now.
>
>>>The greatest possible being would by definition exist
>>>in at least one possible world.
>
>Ok so if I understand correctly, you're saying that
>since the greatest possible being exists in one
>possible world, and since if he exists in one then he
>exists in all of them, he is a certainty?
Wow. You’re catching on a lot faster than I did. Anyway, that is one way to state an ontological argument. If you’re like me though, you’re thinking that the argument can’t possibly be valid (i.e. the conclusion doesn’t logically follow from the premises). For a long time I believed just that, but then later I found a proof demonstrating its validity (or at least the validity of a similar argument using the exact same premises and reaching the exact same conclusion). The formal proof proves validity. The only logical way to doubt it now is to doubt the premises:- If God exists, then he exists necessarily.
- It is possible for God to exist.
If these two premises are correct, then the statement “God necessarily exists,” must be true. Incredible as that may seem, it is the truth as the formal proof demonstrates. For a recap of the proof and what the heck those symbols mean, check out this web page (it’s somewhat different from the one I posted on this message board).
>>>That what is necessarily the greatest? Necessary
>>>existence? If so, why isn’t necessary existence the
>>>greatest possible form of existence? Do you know of
>>>one greater?
>
>I don't see why it would be the greatest, I think
>since you're the one trying to prove this you have to
>prove your premise as well :)
It’s the greatest possible from of existence because the existence is possible in all possible worlds. If something exists in all possible worlds, there aren’t any more possible worlds left to make the existence greater. So, necessary existence (existence in all possible worlds) is the greatest possible form of existence.
>And of course you'll
>have to show that its possible for anything to have a
>necessary existance.
Quite correct. The easiest way I can think of to show that is to provide examples. An example of a necessary truth would be 2 + 2 = 4 or the law of noncontradiction (this law states that for any specified proposition p, it is impossible for both p and not p to be true; e.g. it is impossible for me to exist and to not exist at the same time). Both of these things are true in all possible worlds. There isn't any possible world in which these things don't hold true.
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