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    Carmelics

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    For any thing x and magnitude m, if m is the magnitude of... — Carmelics
    Home/Natural Theology
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    For any thing x and magnitude m, if m is the magnitude of x, and it is not possible that there is a thing y and a magnitude n such that n is the magnitude of y and n is greater than m, and x does not exist in reality, then it is not possible that if x exists in reality then there is a magnitude n such that n is greater than m and n is the magnitude of x.

    Natural Theology
    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    2 reasons against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • This is stated as a premise (i.e., taken as axiomatic or self-evident).
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    Reasons Against

    2 perspectives
    Reason against 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Existence is not a magnitude or perfection that admits of degrees, as Kant argued in the Critique of Pure Reason.
      ?

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    • 2.If existence adds no real predicate to a concept, then existing in reality cannot increase the magnitude of a thing beyond its conceptual maximum.
      ?

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    • 3.Therefore, the conditional linking non-existence to a possible magnitude increase is vacuously malformed, not merely false.
      ?

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    Reason against 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.The premise illicitly assumes that 'existing in reality' is a coherent intensifier of magnitude within the same evaluative framework as non-existent objects.
      ?

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    • 2.Meinongian object theory demonstrates that non-existent objects can possess properties and magnitudes without any modal deficiency relative to existent counterparts.
      ?

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    • 3.If non-existent objects have fully determinate magnitudes, then the inference that existence would raise the magnitude of the maximally great being is blocked.
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    Topics

    Natural Theology

    Key Terms

    exist in reality(contrasts what's real versus what's only conceptual)
    Actually be real or present in the world, as opposed to being merely imagined, possible, or theoretical.
    it is not possible that(used to express necessity or impossibility in logical statements)
    A logical phrase meaning something cannot happen or cannot be true under any circumstances; it's impossible.
    magnitude(Zeno's argument against plurality; a thing lacking magnitude is indistinguishable from nothing)
    A property encompassing spatial extension, thickness, and bulk, without which a thing would be nothing (i.e., could be added or removed without effect)
    modal operators (possible/not possible)(the statement uses 'possible' and 'not possible' to make claims about what can or cannot exist)
    Words or phrases that express whether something is necessary (must be true), possible (could be true), or impossible (cannot be true).

    Related

    Existence is not a magnitude or perfection that admits of degrees, as Kant argue...If existence adds no real predicate to a concept, then existing in reality canno...If non-existent objects have fully determinate magnitudes, then the inference th...Meinongian object theory demonstrates that non-existent objects can possess prop...
    +3 moreShow less
    The premise illicitly assumes that 'existing in reality' is a coherent intensifi...Therefore, the conditional linking non-existence to a possible magnitude increas...

    Source

    AI-extracted2/3 agreementValid
    SEP: ontological-arguments
    View source passageHide passage
    For any thing x and magnitude m, if m is the magnitude of x, and it it not possible that there is a thing y and a magnitude n such that n is the magnitude of y and n>m, and x does not exist in reality, then it is not possible that if x exists in reality then there is a magnitude n such that n is greater than m and n is the magnitude of x. (Premise)
    Extraction notes

    Validity: The extracted conclusion is a faithful restatement of the source passage's single premise, and citing it as axiomatic accurately reflects that it is explicitly labeled as a premise in the source.

    Confidence: This is explicitly labeled as a premise in the text. It appears to be a formalized principle related to the ontological argument — specifically about whether existence in reality could increase the magnitude (greatness) of a thing that is already maximally great.

    This is stated as a premise (i.e., taken as axiomatic or self-evident).

    Similar

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    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    3 (1 for, 2 against)
    Edits
    1 edit