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

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

Stop there," I cried; "why that is the ontological argument of St. Anselm, adopted afterwards by a soldier philosopher like yourself, called Descartes.

From My New Curate by Sheehan, Patrick Augustine

The former distinguishes between ratio essendi and ratio cognoscendi, rejects the ontological argument, and defends determinism against Crusius on Leibnitzian grounds.

From History of Modern Philosophy From Nicolas of Cusa to the Present Time by Falckenberg, Richard

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 Hammerton, John Alexander, Sir