Ontological Arguments and Belief in God [Paperback]

This book provides a comprehensive critical evaluation of ontological arguments for and against the existence of God.This book is a unique contribution to the philosophy of religion. It offers a comprehensive discussion of one of the most famous arguments for the existence of God: the ontological argument. The author provides and analyses a critical taxonomy of those versions of the argument that have been advanced in recent philosophical literature, as well as of those historically important versions found in the work of St. Anselm, Descartes,Leibniz, Hegel and others.This book is a unique contribution to the philosophy of religion. It offers a comprehensive discussion of one of the most famous arguments for the existence of God: the ontological argument. The author provides and analyses a critical taxonomy of those versions of the argument that have been advanced in recent philosophical literature, as well as of those historically important versions found in the work of St. Anselm, Descartes,Leibniz, Hegel and others.This book is a unique contribution to the philosophy of religion. It offers a comprehensive discussion of one of the most famous arguments for the existence of God: the ontological argument. The author provides and analyzes a critical taxonomy of those versions of the argument that have been advanced in recent philosophical literature, as well as of those historically important versions found in the work of St. Anselm, Descartes, Leibniz, Hegel and others.Preface; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Some historical considerations; 2. Definitional arguments; 3. Conceptual arguments; 4. Modal arguments; 5. Meinongian arguments; 6. Experiential arguments; 7. 'Hegelian' arguments; 8. Application to historical arguments; 9. Are there (other) global objections to ontological arguments?; 10. Is existence a predicate?; 11. The uses of parody; 12. Are ontological arguments of any use to theists and/or atheists?; Conclusion; Literature notes; Bibliography; IndlÓ&