creators_name: Franceschi, Paul
creators_id: Paul Franceschi
type: preprint
datestamp: 2003-03-30
lastmod: 2011-03-11 08:55:14
metadata_visibility: show
title: On the Impossibility of Successful Ontological Arguments
subjects: phil-logic
full_text_status: public
keywords: ontological argument, proof
note: revised
abstract: In this paper I present a novel objection to ontological arguments. The argument concerns ontological arguments in general and has the general form of a reductio ad absurdum. Roughly, it rests on the fact that if a sound ontological argument were available, it would contradict the very nature of God. For God aims at maximizing the development of human good qualities (including thus faith) and if a successful ontological argument were available, faith would become unnecessary. Lastly, I review several objections that can be raised against the present argument.
date: 2003-03
date_type: published
refereed: TRUE
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citation:   Franceschi, Paul  (2003) On the Impossibility of Successful Ontological Arguments.  [Preprint]     
document_url: http://cogprints.org/2850/1/ontarg-en.pdf