The Ontological Argument: Exploring God's Existence through Logic

Question 1

What is the foundational premise of the Ontological Argument?

Accepted Answer

God's existence is a logical necessity.

Answer

God created the universe.

Answer

God possesses omnipotence.

Answer

God possesses omniscience.

Question 2

Who is credited with initially formulating the Ontological Argument?

Accepted Answer

Anselm of Canterbury

Answer

Thomas Aquinas

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

René Descartes

Question 3

What is the central significance of the Ontological Argument in philosophical and theological thought?

Accepted Answer

It stimulated debate about the nature of existence, the limits of human reason, and the relationship between faith and rationality.

Answer

It provided a definitive proof for the existence of God.

Answer

It led to the widespread acceptance of the atheist worldview.

Question 4

Which premise is included in Hartshorne's modified Ontological Argument?

Accepted Answer

Perfection necessarily entails existence.

Answer

God is a being greater than which none other can be conceived.

Answer

Existence is a greater property than non-existence.

Answer

If God exists in the mind, then God must also exist in reality.

Question 5

What is a key aspect that distinguishes Anselm's and Hartshorne's versions of the Ontological Argument?

Accepted Answer

Anselm's argument begins with the concept of a 'being greater than which none other can be conceived', while Hartshorne's begins with the concept of 'perfection'.

Answer

Anselm's argument is purely deductive, while Hartshorne's is inductive.

Question 6

Which philosopher criticized the Ontological Argument as a 'merely verbal disputation'?

Accepted Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Answer

David Hume

Question 7

What is a primary objection presented by the 'modal' objection to the Ontological Argument?

Accepted Answer

The argument attempts to derive a necessary conclusion from a contingent premise.

Answer

The argument relies on a false dichotomy.

Answer

The argument uses ambiguous language.

Question 8

Assuming the validity of the Ontological Argument, which potential implication can be drawn?

Accepted Answer

The existence of God may be considered a necessary truth.

Answer

The existence of God is merely probable.

Answer

The existence of God is dependent on our beliefs.

Answer

The existence of God cannot be known with certainty.

Question 9

Who is credited with developing the first form of the Ontological Argument?

Accepted Answer

Anselm of Canterbury

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

Thomas Aquinas

Answer

René Descartes

Question 10

What is the central concept on which the Ontological Argument is based?

Accepted Answer

The concept of a perfect being

Answer

The concept of causality

Answer

The concept of free will

Question 11

According to the Ontological Argument, which of the following is true about the existence of a perfect being?

Accepted Answer

Its existence is entailed by its nature

Answer

Its existence is contingent upon empirical observation

Answer

Its existence is limited to the realm of ideas

Question 12

What is the fundamental difference between the Ontological Argument and the Cosmological Argument?

Accepted Answer

The Ontological Argument deduces God's existence from the concept of God, while the Cosmological Argument infers it from the existence of the universe

Answer

The Ontological Argument employs reason, whereas the Cosmological Argument relies on faith

Question 13

Which premise is central to the Ontological Argument?

Accepted Answer

God is the greatest conceivable being

Answer

God is the most powerful being

Answer

God is the most benevolent being

Answer

God is the most just being

Question 14

What is a key conclusion of the Ontological Argument?

Accepted Answer

God's existence is logically necessary

Answer

God is all-powerful

Answer

God is all-knowing

Answer

God is all-good

Question 15

Who argued that the Ontological Argument is flawed due to the distinction between existence and essence?

Accepted Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

René Descartes

Answer

David Hume

Question 16

What is the enduring significance of the Ontological Argument in philosophy?

Accepted Answer

It has stimulated ongoing debate on the nature of existence and the possibility of rationally proving God's existence

Answer

It has led to widespread acceptance of theism

Question 17

Who is credited with the original formulation of the Ontological Argument?

Accepted Answer

Anselm of Canterbury

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

Thomas Aquinas

Answer

René Descartes

Question 18

What was Anselm's primary aim in writing the Proslogion?

Accepted Answer

To present a rational argument for the existence of God.

Answer

To refute the arguments of atheists.

Answer

To provide a systematic analysis of the nature of God.

Question 19

Whose critique of the Ontological Argument centers on the distinction between existence in reality and existence in the mind?

Accepted Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Answer

René Descartes

Answer

David Hume

Question 20

Which concept in the Ontological Argument refers to the idea that existence is an essential perfection of a perfect being?

Accepted Answer

Necessarily Existent

Answer

Ontological Proof

Answer

Modal Logic

Question 21

Which variation of the Ontological Argument attempts to address the criticism of equivocation?

Accepted Answer

Modal Ontological Argument

Answer

Cosmological Argument

Answer

Teleological Argument

Answer

Ontological Proof of Godel

Question 22

What is the central significance of the Ontological Argument in the history of philosophy?

Accepted Answer

It raised fundamental questions about the nature of existence and the possibility of proving God's existence.

Answer

It led to the establishment of Christianity as the dominant religion in Europe.