Q&A: Questions on Studying the Faith Booklet — The Ontological Proof
Questions on Studying the Faith Booklet — The Ontological Proof
Question
Hello Rabbi, my question is about the Rabbi's first booklet on Anselm's ontological proof. In his proof, at the "heart of the argument," as the Rabbi writes, there are a few assumptions I don't understand: 1. Why is something that I understand intellectually and also understand as existing in reality greater than something that I understand simply as a concept in the mind?
2. In addition, just as "there is nothing preventing us from conceiving of the image of God as existing," there is also nothing obligating that conclusion. In other words, I haven't encountered any entity in reality that I can say exists in reality, and then I would have an idea more elevated than the first idea I had.
3. I also didn't understand why the concept of God includes His existence within it.
In addition, I wanted to know whether it's possible to ask the Rabbi questions on WhatsApp, or whether the Rabbi has a student who answers questions like these (I just don't want to bother the Rabbi, so if there is a student who answers questions, that's preferable, if there is one).
Thanks in advance, and have a peaceful Sabbath.
Answer
- I believe I addressed that there. It is Anselm's assumption, but one can certainly disagree with it.
- I didn't understand.
- It does not include it. The proof shows that it does. If you do not accept the proof, you do not accept that either.
I very much prefer questions through the site. WhatsApp makes it hard for me to write at length. If there is no choice and you absolutely do not want to use the site (for private matters), email is also possible. I do not have students who answer in my name.