ontological argument

American  

noun

Philosophy.

1. an a priori argument for the existence of God, asserting that as existence is a perfection, and as God is conceived of as the most perfect being, it follows that God must exist; originated by Anselm, later used by Duns Scotus, Descartes, and Leibniz.

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ontological argument British  

noun

1. the traditional a priori argument for the existence of God on the grounds that the concept itself necessitates existence Compare cosmological argument teleological argument

2. any analogous argument from the nature of some concept to the existence of whatever instantiates it

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Etymology

Origin of ontological argument

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ontological argument

Explain Anselm’s ontological argument for the existence of God.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022

In addition to their hypothetical argument, the Congress also made an ontological argument.

From Slate ● Mar. 10, 2011

Are you not mocking me and deceiving yourself with the old ontological argument?

From Creative Intelligence Essays in the Pragmatic Attitude by Bode, Boyd H.

In stating the ontological argument the term perfection has been expressly emphasized, because it may be taken to embrace both truth and goodness.

From The Approach to Philosophy by Perry, Ralph Barton

On this dualistic basis, the ontological argument becomes a manifest paralogism, and lies open to all the objections that Kant brought against it.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 4 "Carnegie Andrew" to "Casus Belli" by Various