To what extent is the ontological argument successful in
proving the existence of God – Discuss
40 marks
OCR A-level religious studies
Ontological arguments claim that we can prove God’s existence simply because it is in his nature to
exist; existence is a predicate of God, and therefore it is impossible for him not to exist. These are a
priori arguments, based on reason without the need for evidence; as God goes beyond our
understanding, empirical evidence is not needed to prove his existence. However, the ontological
argument is flawed as it is very hard to understand the nature of God and define his definition
without any empirical evidence of him.
Anslem put forward his ontological argument in his book ‘Proslogian’. His work was based on a belief
that faith precedes understanding, and so an understanding of God is a consequence of a belief in
him, not something that precedes him, as this would be a logical fallacy. He said ‘I believe so that I
may understand’. This explains how God can only be understood by those who fully believe in him.
proving the existence of God – Discuss
40 marks
OCR A-level religious studies
Ontological arguments claim that we can prove God’s existence simply because it is in his nature to
exist; existence is a predicate of God, and therefore it is impossible for him not to exist. These are a
priori arguments, based on reason without the need for evidence; as God goes beyond our
understanding, empirical evidence is not needed to prove his existence. However, the ontological
argument is flawed as it is very hard to understand the nature of God and define his definition
without any empirical evidence of him.
Anslem put forward his ontological argument in his book ‘Proslogian’. His work was based on a belief
that faith precedes understanding, and so an understanding of God is a consequence of a belief in
him, not something that precedes him, as this would be a logical fallacy. He said ‘I believe so that I
may understand’. This explains how God can only be understood by those who fully believe in him.
