Q&A: A Reflection Following the Ontological Proof
A Reflection Following the Ontological Proof
Question
After reading in your book the discussion of the ontological proof, which defines God as the greatest being that can be conceived, it follows that He must also exist, because otherwise there would be a greater existing being than one that does not exist, and that is a contradiction. So from purely conceptual analysis one can arrive at a proof of God. However, if so, let us take this argument one step further: the greatest being that can be conceived must necessarily be devoid of desires, since every desire indicates a lack that one strives to fill. If so, the fact that the world was created shows that the Creator did have a desire, and that is necessarily a contradiction.
Answer
First of all, in the end, in my opinion, the ontological proof is not really valid.
Your question is directed not at the proof itself but at one of its assumptions: the assumption that God is perfect.
On that, see my column 170, where I explain that He is apparently not really perfect.
But the assumption that if He has desires then He is not perfect is incorrect. Desires can also be directed toward completing things outside Himself. Moreover, His perfection lies in the fact that He can fulfill His desires by creating creatures like us who will do what needs to be done. That itself is His perfection.