Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

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

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Kant's critique that existence is not a predicate exposes... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→It remains an open question whether some hitherto undiscovered ontological argument for the existence of God could succeed.

    Kant's critique that existence is not a predicate exposes a structural flaw intrinsic to all ontological arguments, not merely contingent versions.

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

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Existence is not a property that increases the extension of a concept; perfect island + existence = still just island.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.All ontological arguments treat existence as a predicate by deriving instantiation from conceptual definitions alone.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Kant's distinction collapses attempts to move validly from analytic truths about concepts to synthetic truths about reality.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Kant assumes existence is never a predicate, but quantified logic treats 'there exists an x' as fundamentally different from properties.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Some ontological arguments (Gödel's) don't treat existence as a predicate but derive necessity from positive properties themselves.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.The claim that existence adds nothing to a concept may conflate grammatical form with logical function in formal systems.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

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

    Connections

    1 topic

    Natural Theology1 linked

    Related

    All ontological arguments treat existence as a predicate by deriving instantiati...Existence is not a property that increases the extension of a concept; perfect i...It remains an open question whether some hitherto undiscovered ontological argum...Kant assumes existence is never a predicate, but quantified logic treats 'there ...
    +3 moreShow less
    Kant's distinction collapses attempts to move validly from analytic truths about...Some ontological arguments (Gödel's) don't treat existence as a predicate but de...The claim that existence adds nothing to a concept may conflate grammatical form...

    Details

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