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

Anselm's great achievement in philosophy was his ontological argument for the existence of God; and his importance in the ecclesiastical history of England cannot be exaggerated.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Amiel to Atrauli by Various

But this is exactly what was maintained in the ontological argument, and not recognized by the cosmological, although it formed the real ground of its disguised and illusory reasoning.

From The Critique of Pure Reason by John Miller Dow Meiklejohn

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 Ralph Barton Perry