Ontology is the Best Principle that Explains the Existence of God - Essay Example

Question 1: Ontology is the Best Principle that explains the Existence of God: The question regarding the existence of God is able to attract the attention of philosophers, theologians, and religious people. Religion is one of the most important institutions in the life of a human being, and this is specifically because it appears in virtually every culture. During the past centuries, there have been questions on the existence of God. Furthermore, an increase in the scientific knowledge has played a role in people questioning the existence of God. An example is Charles Darwin, with his theory of evolution, where he denotes that mankind and the world evolved. This means that God did not play a role in the creation of man, and hence His existence is doubtful. However, this paper argues that God exists. There are three major arguments that try to justify the existence of God. These arguments are, ontological, teleological, and cosmological (Peterson, William, Bruce and David, 93). Teleological arguments justify the existence of God by looking at the physical and the natural world. It denotes that it is impossible for the physical and the natural order to exists, without a supreme being, who was responsible for creating it. Cosmological argument on the other hand denotes that the existence of God is deduced. The proponents of this argument are not sure, and this is because it is a deduction. Ontological argument, explains the existence of God, through the principles of ontology. Ontology is concerned with the issues regarding the ones that exist, how such entities exist. This paper argues that ontology is the best concept that can be used for purposes of explaining the existence of God (Peterson, William, Bruce and David, 95). However, there are arguments, that ontology cannot efficiently explain the existence of God, mainly because it is based on the perception that God exists, and this is because of its nature. This paper takes a stand, that because of the nature of God, that is, His creation capability, it is proof that He exists. This is the major principle of ontology. St Anselm, who was a medieval Christian, is the first person to come up with the concepts of ontology. He developed this concept, based on words, and what these words were able to mean. St. Anselm denotes that it is possible to proof the existence of God, by trying to find out, what this word, God, means (Peterson, William, Bruce and David, 91). St Anselm further explains that the word God contains virtually everything that an individual needs to understand concerning the existence of God. Anselm uses the concept of a bachelor in explaining how words can be used for purposes of explaining the existence of God. In the view of Anselm, a Bachelor is a concept that can be used for purposes of implying that an individual is a male figure, who has not married. Therefore, it is also possible to imply that the term God, means existence. Therefore, Anselm explains that anybody who understands the nature and the concept of God would believe that God exists (Peterson, William, Bruce and David, 91). Through this notion, it is therefore possible to denote that almost everybody in the world believes on the existence of God. This is even if, they live in denial. Take for example an atheist. An atheist is an individual who believes that God does not exists. This is because of their denial of the creation stories, or other attributes that are associated with God. According to the principles of ontology, this denial of the attributes that are associated with God is a proof that God exists. It is only that atheists do not want to associate them with God. This is an aspect that Anselm agrees with. Anselm denotes that if God is able to exist in the minds of an individual, then in reality, God is there. Otherwise, He would not be a supreme being. Therefore, Anselm is using the concept of predicate to justify the existence of a Supreme Being. This concept therefore enforces the notion that the existence of God is a proof of His ultimate perfection. Through this explanation, the existence of God is viewed as necessary (Peterson, William, Bruce and David, 93). This means that no external or internal factor has lead to the existence of God, and this is because He is regarded as a Supreme Being. This is unlike human beings, whose existences are contingent. This means that their existence is dependent on an external or internal force. This assertion by Anselm is correct, mainly because if the existence of God is dependent upon another external force, then He is not a Supreme Being. Based on these facts, the principle of ontology denotes that God exists, just because He is God, and He is a Supreme Being. This principle of ontology bases its argument, by relying on perceptions and the mind, and when it comes to the existence of God, the use of perception is the best way of determining whether exists or not (Peterson, William, Bruce and David, 94). This is because as a Supreme Being, God is not contingent. Just by the definition of God, he is able to exist. For instance, God is a supernatural Being, or Spirit, that has power over human fortunes or nature. Just because of this definition, then God exists. However, there is a critique on using perception, and the principles of ontology to depict the existence of God. Take for instance an Island. They argue that an island exists, not because it is on the perception of an individual, but it exists in reality. However, it is important to explain that an island is a contingency, and it cannot be equated to God. This is because external factors play a role in the creation and development of an Island. On the other hand, an external or internal factor does not play a role in the emergence of God. This is because it is God, who is responsible for the creation of things. Take for example the concept of a square. A square would not be a square, if it did not have four angles, and each of those angles measuring 360 degrees (Peterson, William, Bruce and David, 97). This concept is derived at, through the definition of a square, which is a four angled substance, whereby each of its angles are able to measure 90 degrees, forming a total of 360 degrees. It is based on these characteristics, that an individual would perceive that there is the existence of God. This is because of the nature and character of God, who is viewed as a creator, and an all powerful being. Furthermore, through the notion that everything exists, because of an external factor, then this external factor, is the Lord our God. Furthermore, it is important to explain that the cosmological arguments, in relation to the existence of God, must have borrowed some ideas from the ontological arguments. This is because cosmology concerns itself with the proof of the existence of the physical and the natural world, as a proof that God exists. Ontology denotes that God is Supreme Being, who is able to influence the existence of the universe or the natural world. However, it is based on perception, which later on, is translated into reality. It is based on this concept, that ontology perceives the existence of God, which is later on, translated into reality. It is therefore prudent to denote that cosmology borrowed some of its aspects and principles, from the concepts of ontology, and this makes ontology to be a superior philosophical term, that explains the existence of God (Peterson, William, Bruce and David, 92). Furthermore, cosmology denotes that the only way, the universe exists, is because it was created by God. Through this notion, we are becoming aware of the nature and existence of God. This is one of the principles that ontology uses to depict the existence of the Supreme God. Through cosmology, we are able to know that God is creator, and this is the reason why He exists. This is an aspect that is shared, under the principles of ontology, which seeks to examine who God is, before coming up with a conclusion that God exists. Just as cosmology, ontology denotes that God is a Supreme Being, who is responsible for creating the world. Just because He is a Supreme Being, then He exists. Based on these facts, it is possible to denote that ontology better explains the existence of God, when it is compared to cosmology. Furthermore, cosmology borrows some principles of ontology, in explaining the existence of God. Teleology is another competing ideology, but it does not efficiently explain the existence of God, when compared to ontology. Furthermore, this concept of teleology can also be associated with ontology, in the sense that it believes in the creation power of God. This is because under teleology, experts believe that nature is able to depict some unique structures, and functions, which are interconnected (Peterson, William, Bruce and David, 96). Furthermore, these interconnected structures, are deliberate and directive, hence it is possible to denote that there is a supernatural being, behind their formation. This concept agrees with the notion that it is the role of the creator to make things happen, and the creator is not contingent. These are some of the major principles of ontology, which believes that because God is not contingent, then God exists. In conclusion, ontology is the best philosophical principle that explains the existence of God. This principle is developed out of perceptions, and the contingent characteristic of nature. For instance, the principles of ontology tend to explain the existence of God, based on the nature of God, i.e. who is God. God is a supreme being who managed to create the world. When this is perceived in the mind of an individual, then it becomes a reality. Furthermore, the principles of cosmology and teleology are subjected to ontology, mainly because some of their principles are borrowed from ontology. An example, is a substance, cannot exist, if it was not created. They all tend to agree on the creative power of God. Works Cited: Peterson, Michael L., William Hasker, Bruce Reinchenberg, and David Basinger. “Theistic Arguments: Is There Evidence for God’s Existence?” Reason and Religious Belief: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion. New York: Oxford UP, 2012. Print. Read More