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

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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

IV.—Criticism of the Chief Arguments for the Existence of God The ontological argument aims at asserting the possibility of conceiving the idea of an ens realissimum, of being possessed of all reality.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 14 — Philosophy and Economics by Sir John Alexander Hammerton

That it may possess a secure foundation, it bases its conclusions upon experience, and thus appears to be completely distinct from the ontological argument, which places its confidence entirely in pure a priori conceptions.

From The Critique of Pure Reason by John Miller Dow Meiklejohn

They have such high-sounding names—the ontological argument, the cosmological, the physico-theological—that almost in spite of ourselves we bring a reverential mood to them.

From An Outline of the History of Christian Thought Since Kant by Edward Caldwell Moore

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