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    Kant's critique that existence is not a predicate applies... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→Hume's and Kant's criticisms of the ontological argument do not target the strongest version of Anselm's argument found in Proslogion chapter 3.

    Kant's critique that existence is not a predicate applies equally to necessary existence, since necessity modifies the concept, not reality.

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    1 reason for
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    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Kant showed existence adds nothing to a concept's content; 'necessary existence' similarly adds modal content, not ontological addition.
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    • 2.Both existence and necessity function as operators on concepts rather than properties: they modify our understanding, not reality itself.
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    • 3.If necessity were a real predicate, it would require explanation of why some things possess it and others don't—an unanswerable question.
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    Reasons Against

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    • 1.Necessity describes the *mode of being* (how something exists), distinct from existence itself; different categorical levels aren't identical.
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    • 2.Modal properties like necessity can still have metaphysical weight even if non-predicative; they constrain which possible worlds are actualized.
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    • 3.Kant's critique targets empirical predicates; necessary existence involves metaphysical modality, operating in a different logical framework entirely.
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    Natural Theology1 linked

    Related

    Both existence and necessity function as operators on concepts rather than prope...Hume's and Kant's criticisms of the ontological argument do not target the stron...If necessity were a real predicate, it would require explanation of why some thi...Kant showed existence adds nothing to a concept's content; 'necessary existence'...
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    Kant's critique targets empirical predicates; necessary existence involves metap...Modal properties like necessity can still have metaphysical weight even if non-p...Necessity describes the *mode of being* (how something exists), distinct from ex...

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