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Garcia, Laura. Ontological Arguments for God’s Existence
2017, in Kelly James Clark (ed.) Readings in the Philosophy of Reigion - Third Edition. Broadview Press.
Categories: Arguments for Theism, Metaphysics & Epistemology, Ontological Arguments for Theism, Philosophy of Religion
Keywords: arguments for God's existence, ontological argument, philosophy of religion
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Added by: Emily Paul
Summary: A clear introduction to the Ontological Argument for God's existence, and different versions of it.
Comment: A nice introduction to the Ontological Argument, suitable for an introductory philosophy of religion course. Would work as either a primary or secondary reading, depending on how much attention you want to give to the ontological argument.
Difficulty: Easy-Intermediate
Recommended use: Introductory with overview
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Nagasawa, Yujin. The Ontological Argument and the Devil
2010, The Philosophical Quarterly 60 (238): 72-91.
Categories: Arguments for Theism, Metaphysics & Epistemology, Ontological Arguments for Theism, Philosophy of Religion
Keywords: God, ontological argument, philosophy of religion
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Added by: Jamie Collin
Abstract: The 'parody objection' to the ontological argument for the existence of God advances parallel arguments apparently proving the existence of various absurd entities. I discuss recent versions of the parody objection concerning the existence of 'AntiGod' and the devil, as introduced by Peter Millican and Timothy Chambers. I argue that the parody objection always fails, because any parody is either (i) not structurally parallel to the ontological argument, or (ii) not dialectically parallel to the ontological argument. Moreover, once a parody argument is modified in such a way that it avoids (i) and (ii), it is, ironically, no longer a parody - it is the ontological argument itself.
Comment: Useful in a philosophy of religion course. Provides an account of the ontological argument, parody objections to it, and responses to those objections. This paper is particularly useful because it is both cutting edge and graspable by advanced undergraduate or graduate students. Any course that treats arguments for and against the existence of God in any depth will discuss the ontological argument. Parody objections to ontological arguments are common (and often taken to be decisive); this would fit well in a course that discusses these parody objections.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Recommended use: Introductory or further reading
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