🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <Jul.31.14.58.07.1992.23983@ruhets.rutgers.edu>,
bweiner@ruhets.rutgers.edu (Benjamin Weiner) writes:
|>I'd like to point out that some medieval (I think) theologian 
|>DID argue that God is a being who has all properties, including
|>that of existence, therefore God exists.  This argument does sort of
|>qualify for the "just as lame as all the other ontological arguments"
|>award (how's that for faint praise?)
|>
I think you are thinking of St. Anselm. It is often called St. Anselm's
prrof of the existence of God or the Ontological proof of God's existence.

To briefly paraphrase for those you haven't heard the joke yet, the
argument goes thus (from memory):

What is the definition of God? God is that being who possesses all
powers and positive attributes possible. God has any charactersitic which is
good or positive. God is perfect so he is not lacking in any attirbute
that would contribute to this perfection.

With this definition, now try to describe God. What attributes does he
possess and which ones does he not possess. Now take your conception of
God, with all its attributes and characteristics and consider the attribute
of existence. Surely existence is a positive attribute. Therefore since God
by definition is the embodiment of all good attributes, God exists. Q.E.D.  
                         

The first time I saw it I did the mental equivalent of a double take.
I love this type of mind-teaser. It reminds me of the magic show at the
state fair. At your gut you know it is not right but it takes pages to 
properly explain your immediate discomfort.

john w. cobb
jwc@fusion.ph.utexas.edu