Choose the answer that best fills in the missing step in Anselm's argument:
(i. God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived.
(ii. God exists in one's understanding.
(iii) _______.
(iv. But then we can conceive something greater than God.
(v. This is a contradiction, so if God exists in our understanding, God must exist.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Anselm's argument, known as the ontological argument, posits that if God, the greatest conceivable being, exists in the mind, it is possible to conceive of a greater being—one that exists both in the mind and in reality. Therefore, to avoid the contradiction of something greater than the greatest conceivable being, God must exist in reality. This step bridges the gap between God's existence in the understanding and the contradiction of conceiving something greater (God existing in reality), leading to the conclusion that God must exist in reality to be the greatest conceivable being.

Choose the Answer That Best Fills in the Missing Step