Progression Implies a Standard

Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) is believed to have originated the Ontological

Argument. His philosophical ideas were molded by Plato and theologically, the

writings of Augustine were formative on his thoughts. In the following arguments you

will be able to detect logically that progression implies a standard.

 

Goodness to God

1. Good things exist
2. The cause of this goodness is either one or many
3. But it can’t be many, for then there would be no way to compare their goodness, for all things would be equally good. But some things are better than others.
4. Therefore, one Supreme Good (God) causes the goodness in all good things.

 

Anselm argued from perfection to God, C.S. Lewis emulated in Mere Christianity:

1. Some beings are more nearly perfect than are others.
2. But things cannot be more or less perfect unless there is a wholly perfect to which they can be compared
3. Therefore, there must be a Most Perfect Being (God)

 

Anselm argued from being to God:

1. Something exists.
2. Whatever exists, exists either through nothing or through something.
3. But nothing cannot cause something; only something can cause something.
4. And this something is either one or many.
5. If many, they are either mutually dependent or all dependent on one for their existence.
6. They cannot be mutually dependent for their existence, for something cannot exist through a being on which it confers existence
7. Therefore, there must be one being through which all other beings exist
8. This one being must exist through itself, since everything else exists through it
9. And whatever exists through itself, exists in the highest degree of all
10. Therefore, there exists a supremely perfect Being that exists in the highest degree of all