ontological argument
C2Academic, Philosophical, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A philosophical argument for the existence of God based on the very concept or definition of God as a maximally perfect being.
Any philosophical argument that deduces the existence or reality of something from its definition or essence alone, although the term is most strongly associated with theistic proofs.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is not used for just any argument about ontology (the study of being). It specifically denotes a type of a priori deductive argument, famously formulated by Anselm of Canterbury and later by philosophers like Descartes and Leibniz.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is used identically in philosophical discourse. Minor spelling preferences follow regional norms (e.g., 'analyse' vs. 'analyze' in surrounding text).
Connotations
Identical. In both regions, it connotes sophisticated, abstract philosophical reasoning, often debated in university philosophy departments and theology faculties.
Frequency
Equally rare outside academic philosophy and theology. Frequency is identical in both dialects within relevant contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] critiques/reformulates/defends the ontological argument.The ontological argument [verb: rests on/posits/concludes that]...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not applicable for this technical term]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
[Not applicable]
Academic
The ontological argument remains a cornerstone topic in philosophy of religion courses and metaphysics seminars.
Everyday
[Virtually never used]
Technical
Used precisely in philosophical papers, theological discourse, and analytic metaphysics to denote a specific class of deductive arguments.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- His ontological argument framework was rigorously analysed.
- She presented an ontological-argument approach to the problem.
American English
- His ontological argument framework was rigorously analyzed.
- She presented an ontological-argument approach to the problem.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too advanced for A2 level]
- Philosophers have an idea called the ontological argument.
- It is a very old argument about God.
- The ontological argument tries to prove God's existence using logic alone, not observation.
- Many students first encounter the ontological argument in a philosophy class.
- Kant's famous critique targeted the very premise that existence can be a predicate, undermining traditional ontological arguments.
- The seminar focused on comparing Plantinga's modal ontological argument with its classical predecessors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ONTOLOGICAL ARGUMENT: ONTO (being) + LOGICAL (reasoning) = An argument about BEING, derived from pure LOGIC.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS A CONSTRUCTED OBJECT ("building a logical structure"), EXISTENCE IS A PROPERTY ("greatness includes existence").
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating "ontological" as просто "онтологический" without the specific philosophical context; the English term is a fixed compound. Do not confuse with "ontological" used as a general adjective.
- The term 'argument' here means 'логическое доказательство', not 'ссора' or 'спор'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'ontological argument' to refer to any debate about existence.
- Pronouncing 'ontological' with stress on the first syllable (/ˈɒn.tə.lɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/). The stress is on the third syllable.
- Writing 'ontologic argument' (incorrect adjective form).
Practice
Quiz
The ontological argument is primarily which type of argument?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The first well-known formulation is by St. Anselm of Canterbury in the 11th century in his work "Proslogion".
The most famous criticism, from Immanuel Kant, is that 'existence is not a predicate'—it does not add a defining property to a concept but merely posits its instantiation in reality.
Yes, in contemporary analytic philosophy of religion, modernized (often modal) versions of the argument, such as those by Alvin Plantinga, are seriously debated and defended by some philosophers.
Broadly yes—it relates to the nature of being or existence—but 'ontological argument' is a specific historical term for a class of theistic proofs. The other phrases use 'ontological' more generally.