All perspectives

1077–1078

Anselm — Faith seeking understanding and an argument for existence

Does the concept of the greatest conceivable being entail that it exists in reality as well as thought?

Evidence-backed account

The Proslogion argues from “that than which nothing greater can be conceived” within a prayerful project of faith seeking understanding.

Open evidence

This is an evidence-linked editorial paraphrase, not a direct quotation.

  • Saint Anselm

    Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

    Locator: §2.1 Faith Seeking Understanding; §3 The Proslogion

    Open source

Debate continues over whether the reasoning illicitly defines something into existence, offers a modal argument for necessary being, or functions primarily as meditation.

Open evidence

This is an evidence-linked editorial paraphrase, not a direct quotation.

  • Saint Anselm

    Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

    Locator: §3.1–§3.5, reconstructions and objections

    Open source
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