Changes

:Therefore God exists.

:Therefore God exists.

In a sense this argument for the existence of God is similar to the mathematical proofs based on deriving a contradiction of something is not true.  Accepting the definition of God, as most would, while then denying that God exists leads to a contradiction as existence is a necessary element of perfection in this context.

In a sense this proof of the existence of God is similar to the mathematical proofs based on deriving a contradiction of something is not true.  Accepting the definition of God, as most would, while then denying that God exists leads to a contradiction as existence is a necessary element of perfection in this context.

==Recent Ontological Arguments==

==Recent Ontological Arguments==

The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy states the following regarding recent developments in ontological arguments for the existence of God:

The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy states the following regarding recent developments in ontological arguments for the existence of God:

== Criticism ==

== Criticism ==

Anselm's proof bypasses [[Hume's Fork]].

[[Atheists]] tend to agree with the first premise defining God, and from that follows in a strong, apparently deductive fashion. Anselm's proof bypasses [[Hume's Fork]].

But Gaunilo, a contemporary of Anselm, played [[devil's advocate]] by using [[reductio ad absurdum]] and envisaged a 'lost, yet most perfect island'. Gaunilo argued that just because we can imagine this island does not mean it actually exists. Anselm responded by arguing that such an island is not instrinsically necessary to existence because the concept of no greater conceivable being existing would only apply to God, not to something tangible such as an island.

But Gaunilo, a contemporary of Anselm, played [[devil's advocate]] by using [[reductio ad absurdum]] and envisaged a 'lost, yet most perfect island'. Gaunilo argued that just because we can imagine this island does not mean it actually exists. Anselm responded by arguing that such an island is not instrinsically necessary to existence because the concept of no greater conceivable being existing would only apply to God, not to something tangible such as an island.