Anselms Cosmological Argument Essay Example for Free

Anselms Cosmological Argument EssayAnselm seeks to explain the foundation of a greatest being, i. e. divinity. He approaches this working class not via our experience of the universe, but quite attempts to explain it solely based upon reason. Anselm attempts to prove the existence of paragon by providing us with a logical explanation, based upon our understanding, definition, and necessity of God. It is inconceiv qualified for God not to exist. on that point is a certain nature by dint of which everything that is exists, Anselm explains, is caused to exist by something. Everything that is, exists by law of something, and postal code is able to exist through and through nobody. The underlying assumption here is that things do not exist through themselves for on that point is no need for their being. Leading to conclude that it is implausible that anything at tout ensemble is able to exist because of nothing, and that nothing should exist because of something. Building upon earlier argument, Anselm concludes that whatever is does not exist except through something. Since, according to him, this preface is true and since, as pointed out earlier in his argument, everything that is exists either through itself or through something, there must(prenominal) be ace, or many, beings though which every last(predicate) things that are exist. Our existence and the existence of everything there is, so, must be explained by a lawfulness of a higher being, or several of them. Anselm identifies and explores several possibilities of existence of a higher being, or beings.He points out that there may be several beings, rather than champion, that are the ultimate cause of everything that exists, and presents one with his critical analysis of such idea. Anselm argues that if there is more than one of such beings then they themselves must exist either through (a) one being, (b) separately through itself, or (c) mutually through one another. If, he states, the se beings exist through one supreme being, then all things that exist cannot exist through more than one being. Following this premise, Anselm concludes that all things that exist must therefore exist through this one supreme being.If, however, there are many beings, which exist separately and each(prenominal) through itself, then there must be a certain power or position of brisk through self, by which they are able to exist. Building upon this premise, Anselm goes on to explain that it is because of this finicky power or property that each of these beings is able to exist. Thereby concluding that these beings exist by sexual abstention of one greater power, without which they cannot exist. Once again we are back to the same argument that only one being can exist, for plurality does not explain itself.Lastly, a third alternative proposed by Anselm deals with beings existing mutually through one another. He argues that such thought is contrary to reason. For, it is irrational t hat anything should exist through a being on which it confers existence. In other words, there cannot be a being that is a giver and a taker. That, which exists by its own virtue and is yet dependent on itself for existence. Taking all of the arguments and points stated above, Anselm concludes that there can only be one greatest being, i. e. God, and it is through him that everything that is exists.If everything that is, exists by virtue of something, and nothing is able to exist through nothing, then God simply cannot be conceived not to exist. God is that, which alone exists in the greatest and highest degree of all and nothing greater can be conceived. For, everything that exists, exists through this greatest being, but it alone exists through itself. One aspect of Anselms argument that stands out in particular is a premise upon which the whole argument is based. Explicitly, Everything that is, exists either through1 something, or through nothing.But nothing exists through nothi ng. For it is altogether inconceivable that anything should not exist by virtue of something. This, he holds to be the axiomatic truth. Once again, the underlying assumption here is that things do not exist through themselves for there is no need for their existence. Such things therefore cannot be the cause of their own existence. Therefore, it must exist by virtue of a greater being. BIBLIOGRAPHY S. D. Deane, (Trans. ), St. Anselm, Basic Writings (Second Ed. ), La Salle, Illinois Open Court Publishing Company, 1994.