This document discusses three classic philosophical arguments for the existence of God: the ontological, cosmological, and teleological arguments. The ontological argument claims that God must exist because God is defined as the greatest being conceivable and existence is greater than nonexistence. The cosmological argument claims the universe must have been caused by God as an uncaused cause. The teleological argument claims the order and complexity of the universe implies an intelligent designer, God. Each argument is summarized and criticisms are explored.

1. Concepts of aConcepts of a
Higher BeingHigher Being
Arguments for God
Ontological, Cosmological and Teleological

2. The philosophy of religion examines the nature of religion,
explores rational arguments for and against various
religious views, analyses the nature of religious language and
explores the variety of human religious experience. This
theme allows students to explore philosophically such
questions as:

3. In shortIn short
Ontological: God is defined as the perfect being.
Existence is more perfect than non-existence. Therefore,
God exists. (St. Anselm, Descartes)
Cosmological: Every even has a cause. The universe is
an event. Therefore the universe has a cause, God. (St.
Thomas Aquinas)
Teleological: All complex things have a designer. The
universe is complex. Therefore it has a designer, God.
(Willam Paley).

4. The Ontological ArgumentThe Ontological Argument
St. Anselm argued that we can deduce the
existence of God from the idea of God.
Just from thinking that about what God is,
we can conclude that God exists.
Therefore the ability to conceive the
idea of God, supports the fact that God
exists.

5. The argumentThe argument
Anselm’s argument relies on conceivability
1.By definition, God is a being greater than
which cannot be conceived.
2.I can conceive of such a being.
3.It is greater to exist than to not exist.
4.Therefore God must exist.

6. Key pointsKey points
The ontological argument is a priori; it
works from the analysis of the idea of God,
not from any fact or experience. Also called
rational thinking.
Anselm’s argument takes for granted the
idea that God is the greatest conceivable
Being. Our capacity to conceive the idea of God
makes God’s existence logical.
The conclusion of the ontological argument is
that God necessarily exists.

7. The cosmological argumentThe cosmological argument
A medieval Christian thinker called Thomas
Aquinas wrote:
‘In the cosmos is it obvious that some things change. Now,
whatever changes must have been changed by something
else. And if that something else in turn changes then it must
have been changed by another. But this cannot go on to
infinity… you eventually have to arrive at something that is
unchanging. This is God!’
The cosmological argument is an argument from natural
theology; the view that we can understand the nature and
existence of God through his work in creation. Which is
accessible to all humans, through experience, rather than
through reason.

8. The argumentThe argument
1. Nothing can happen by itself
2. Everything that happens must be caused
by something else.
3. The universe could not have just
‘happened’ by itself.
4. A very powerful force must have caused
it into being.
5. This cause must have been God.
6. This means that God must exist!

9. The teleological argumentThe teleological argument
The teleological theory is often called the
argument for design. It is based on
observation of the apparent order in the
universe and the natural world, to conclude
that it is not the result of mere chance, but
of design.
The argument makes the basic assumption
that there is order and design in the
universe, and that all things function to
fulfill a specific purpose.

10. The argumentThe argument
1. The world is so well ordered and
everything is balanced to sustain life.
The world is so beautiful and complex,
with interdependent parts making a
whole.
2. This complex world must therefore have
been designed.
3. If it is designed, it must have a designer.
4. The only being powerful enough to
design the universe is God.
5. So God must therefore exist.

11. TaskTask
1. Read the material for ONE of the
arguments for God (including criticisms)
2. In groups discuss what you have read.
3. Answer the following question:
Define the argument for the existence of
God and discuss its strengths and
weaknesses.