Ontological Arguments

An accessible and comprehensive examination of ontological arguments, their history and their importance.

Graham Oppy (Edited by)

9781107123632, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 November 2018

294 pages
25.4 x 17.9 x 2 cm, 0.67 kg

'The volume will serve as an excellent text for advanced courses on philosophical theology or seminars on ontological arguments, and even as a supplementary text for surveys of philosophy of religion. Otherwise it makes a nice addition to the student library …' Kevin J. Harrelson, International Journal for Philosophy of Religion

Ontological arguments are one of the main classes of arguments for the existence of God, and have been influential from the Middle Ages right up until the present time. This accessible volume offers a comprehensive survey and assessment of them, starting with a sequence of chapters charting their history - from Anselm and Aquinas, via Descartes, Leibniz, Kant and Hegel, to Gödel, Plantinga, Lewis and Tichý. This is followed by chapters on the most important topics to have emerged in the discussion of ontological arguments: the relationship between conceivability and possibility, the charge that ontological arguments beg the question, and the nature of existence. The volume as a whole shows clearly how these arguments emerged and developed, how we should think about them, and why they remain important today.

Introduction: ontological arguments in focus Graham Oppy
1. Anselm Peter Millican
2. Aquinas Brian Leftow
3. Descartes Lawrence Nolan
4. Leibniz Maria Rosa Antognazza
5. Kant Lawrence Pasternack
6. Hegel Michael Inwood
7. Gödel Alexander Pruss
8. Lewis Michael J. Almeida
9. Plantinga Joshua Rasmussen
10. Tichý Graham Oddie
11. Conceivability and possibility Joshua Spencer
12. Begging the question Peter van Inwagen
13. Existence Graham Priest.

Subject Areas: Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology [HPJ]