Political Idea :: essays research papers

Throughout time there have always been some philosophers who present theories, which have philosophical themes in religious thinking that, are in connection to current social and political ideas. Thinkers like St. Anselm, St. Thomas Aquinas, and John Hick all express their views and feelings on the existence of God, as well as the human race. Their theories are based off asking questions like why are we here and how do we prove God’s existence? Is there really life after death and where does the soul go? They also explore the ideas and theories behind the nature of man and what relationship that has with the existence of God. With one goal in mind, at three different times in history each have resulted in the same conclusion, that God does exist and his existence is a result of knowing and understanding why he exists. They all prove their theories in different ways, but their outcome is one in the same. St. Anselm takes the Ontological argument to explain to existence of God. An ontological argument is simply an analysis of the nature or being of something, where we would attempt to define the object, to understand its nature and to be able to list all its qualities and attributes. However, it is important to keep in mind the difference between appearance and reality when using the ontological argument to define God’s existence. There are things that appear to be real in the presence of God, but are indeed only an image of the mind. Anselm begins first with the meaning of the word God. According to most Jews and Christians, the term God means one that is greatest in power, in knowledge, in goodness and in reality; which then can be translated to be God is conceived as the most perfect being. Since this view of God that accords with the faith commitments of most believers, Anselm uses it in his ontological analysis. His definition becomes â€Å"that being than which none grea ter can be conceived†, making God not only the greatest being, but yet the greatest conceivable being. Based on Anselm’s definition he makes the argument that for a being that exists both in understanding and in reality, which would be greater than a being existing in understanding alone. Therefore, as Anselm stated â€Å"even a fool is convinced that something exists in the understanding, at least, than which nothing greater can be conceived.