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    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
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    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that God must be a metaphysically necessary being, one that cannot not exist.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Existence is not a predicate or perfection-making property, as Kant argued in the Critique of Pure Reason.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If existence is not a genuine predicate, then 'necessary existence' cannot be derived from the concept of maximal perfection.
      ?

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    • 3.Therefore, the move from 'maximally perfect' to 'necessarily existing' is logically illicit, not metaphysically grounded.
      ?

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    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Modal status (necessary vs. contingent) is determined by the nature of the entity, not stipulated by conceptual analysis alone.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Hume established that whatever can be conceived to exist can also be conceived not to exist, making necessary existence inconceivable for any being.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.No coherent distinction between a world containing God and one lacking God can be ruled out purely on logical grounds.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • God is maximally perfect, that than which no greater can be conceived.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

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    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.