Ontological Argument: Two-Dimensional Version

14 Pages Posted: 6 May 2014

See all articles by Victor Gorbatov

Victor Gorbatov

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow)

Date Written: May 6, 2014

Abstract

The ontological argument has been reintroduced into the area of analytical metaphysics in 20th century due to the development of modal logic and possible worlds semantics. However, there are few attempts to approach this argument with two-dimensional possible worlds framework. The present paper provides a new two-dimensional interpretation of Anselm's proof in terms of modal logic with an actuality operator (AML). It is argued that the standard modal explications of Anselm’s enigmatic concept "greater" and its connection with the concept of "actuality" have some essential shortcomings compared with the two-dimensional approach.

Keywords: Anselm, ontological argument, two-dimensional semantics, modal rationalism

JEL Classification: Z

Suggested Citation

Gorbatov, Victor, Ontological Argument: Two-Dimensional Version (May 6, 2014). Higher School of Economics Research Paper No. WP BRP 53/HUM/2014, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2433407 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2433407

Victor Gorbatov (Contact Author)

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow) ( email )

Myasnitskaya street, 20
Moscow, Moscow 119017
Russia

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