Essays on Existence

Introduction
The concept of the existence of God spans throughout all existing religions in the world. Divinity centered on a supreme being became the main reference point of different people across various cultures in explaining particular phenomena that has found difficult elucidation. Several concepts of God are apparent in the way different religious bodies manifest their beliefs. Yet, arguments assailing the existence of God continue to be prevalent, alongside variations on how numerous religions conceive God. Up to what extent is the concept of the existence of God controversial? This study seeks to answer that question Continue reading...

The argument on whether God does exist is one that has been debated by many people for a long time; philosophers on their part have based their assertions on theistic proof on rationality and logic. Some religious groups argue that this debate cannot be decided by logic alone but rather some faith is needed to understand God’s existence. However, that is not always the case; philosophers like Descartes, who is considered the father of modern day philosophy, were able to give theistic proof using valid philosophical arguments. It is hence interesting to try and answer the question of Continue reading...

Religion is a common topic in debates where two sides aim to prove or argue against God’s existence. The arguments in the debate are found in several philosophical disciplines, such as epistemology, ontology, theory of value, and other disciplines. Furthermore, the debate on God’s existence in contemporary society is not only limited to philosophy, but it is a common debate in contemporary popular culture. In this paper I will cover some arguments that support God’s existence, but I will mainly focus on the ontological argument. I will explain why deductive arguments, such as the Cosmological argument, Continue reading...

Introduction

For a long period, Christians and atheists continue to maintain conflicting perceptive about the existence of God. Consequently, this issue triggers unending debates. The argument about the existence of God does not simply entail sensory proof. This is because universal perception is a determinant of what will be accepted as proof in the first place. In order to be certain in either side of argument, there is need for evidence. Theorists provide conflicting perspectives in support of atheism and existence of God. Christians derive their source of proof from biblical writings. However, these sources receive disqualification from atheists as Continue reading...

It appears that McCloskey is trying to support and substantiate his case for atheism by adopting a very narrow and objective approach. The usage of terms like “proof” for different school of arguments indicates that McCloskey is keen to give a sense of finality to a very complex question by attempting to debunk the thought process behind the arguments that has been labeled as proof. Human mind has its own limitations. This universe is very complex and infinite. There are a lot of things which are beyond the comprehension of human mind. The question of existence of god is Continue reading...

It is a common norm for scientists to use “proofs” to describe the reasoning for various things. Scientists make use of these proofs to explain why something happens. For instance, geologists believe that the earth possesses an electromagnetic field that acts as a protector against destructive solar winds. These geologists have never really witnessed or seen this field, yet they strongly believe it to be the most plausible explanation of why the earth is protected from destructive solar winds. This analogy is comparable to the use of ‘proofs” by Christians to make strong arguments about God’s existence. When Continue reading...

The topic on the existence of God is perhaps one of the most equivocal topics that have generated an immense debate amongst various population segments all around the globe. In fact, this topic has evolved into one of the most contentious topics all over the globe. Notably, there exists various arguments postulated regarding the existence of God. Nonetheless, the ontological argument devised by Anselm on Gods existence is perhaps one of the most substantive arguments that support that notion on Gods existence. Anselm’s argument on God’s existence asserts that Gods existence is indeed true based on the Continue reading...

The existence of God or rather an intelligent being with define abilities has been a contentious issue of discussion since time immemorial. There are as many people advocating for divinity in the creation of the universe as there are people doubting the existence of this Supreme Being with unique and really frightening capabilities who designed and created the universe. Among the chief advocates of the thought of the existence of God and perfect order in the creation of the universe is William Paley. William Paley brings forth among the best arguments ever brought forward advocating for the existence of Continue reading...

The existence of God has always been discussed and argued over by many people as some argue that he does exist while others argue that he does not exist. Many people have varying views on how the world came into existence as some people share common beliefs on this issue. Arguments on the existence of God come in different forms basing on history, personal experience, science and philosophy. I believe that God does exist because there are several evidences that have been brought to book to prove that He exists.
Plato believed in gods and not God. He taught Continue reading...

Kant’s ‘Critique of Pure Reason’

Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason is generally accepted as the most influential work in “modern” Western philosophy. Coming at the end of the Enlightenment, and the opening of Romanticism, Kant’s great work offered a disciplined model for considering the great existential questions, such as whether or not God exists, whether there is an afterlife, a soul, etc. Reason, Kant argued, is the discipline by which such arguments, for or against, must proceed. Any argument that unduly relies on the theoretical, he reasoned, is highly suspect. Critique of Pure Reason offers provides a bridge between the traditional, religious orientation and the rise of science and the rational world. Continue reading...

Introduction

The existence of classes in the society has a long history dating back to the 19th century in the Western Europe after the industrial revolution (Abrutyn, 2013). As such, because of the industrial revolution, classes emerged. In this regard, the classes that emerged comprised of those of the rich and those people who worked for them. However, since then different forms of stratification emerged in the society. Examples of such stratifications or classes are the ones based on gender, race, age, and religion (Bartos & Wehr, 2002). Consequently, various arguments exist concerning these new forms of stratification with some people Continue reading...

Compare and contrast the Stoic and Aristotelian conceptions of God as the cause of nature.

There are several conceptions devised by various people on God as the cause of nature. The world exists with several compositions including human beings, other living and non-living organisms. Various groups of people have adopted both stoic and Aristotelian conceptions. Stoics believe that nothing passes without explanation. Stoics tend to give an explanation for the existence of everything in life and nature. Stoics believe that an active force exists and that the force is everywhere with matter. The implication is that anything that occupies space and has a weight has got some special type of force. There is a Continue reading...

Descartes has several meditations on what things in knows and how he does so. He has a feeling of doubt towards his foundational beliefs on what he thinks he knows and the truth about them. He says that through his experience he has come to know that the core source of knowledge is the senses. He however mistrusts his sense because he it has been a source of deception to him before, for example things have a different look when far away than when close. His conclusion is that existence can be attributed to senses. Descartes says that truth Continue reading...

Since the beginning of time, people constantly look for ways of justifying their religions. The most basic justification would be the presence of God. For this reason, many religions look for ways of proving that God Exists. Cosmological arguments are those that seek to show either the presence or the absence of God in the universe (Hume, 59). In the cosmological argument, one looks at one factor about the world. Such factors include the fact that the earth has materials that cause others to exist. The cosmological argument has two parts. The first part seeks to proof the existence Continue reading...

The crisis of modern society is expressed in a crisis of identity as an individual social individual (man) and individual communities. The relationship between global, „world „society of individual communities is mediated by the so-called . Mega - trends: scientific and technical progress, economic integration , information and communication revolution , the movement for human rights and the practice of globalization, exposes contradictions identity of traditional and modern society , and identity of human existence in general . Where is the social process role and place of politics and religion - working on new content identity of a man and society , or maintaining the Continue reading...

Rabbi Maimonides is a medieval Jewish philosopher who wields considerable influence on Jewish thought and on philosophy in general. He also contributed significantly to the codification of the Jewish law. His writings and views hold a prominent place in Jewish intellectual history. In the Guide for the Perplexed, Maimonides explores the concept of God and explains the plausible description of God according to Torah. Maimonides also spends significant amount of time in trying to understand the structure and characteristics of the universe. To this point, it becomes important that Maimonides wrote the book before scientific discoveries, so he draws Continue reading...

Several theories and arguments have been put forth about the existence of God. There are arguments that try to prove the fact that God exists and there are those that disregard his existence. Some of those arguments include the ontological, cosmological and teleological. This essay will explore and analyze arguments concerning the existence of God using the ontological argument as propagated by Saint Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury. According to this argument, it is self contradictory to deny the fact that there exists a greater being. The truth is, according to the argument, that the greater being exists and the Continue reading...

Religious Experience as Evidence for the Existence of God

There are some things in this world that are quiet hard to explain. This happens due to the development in people’s knowledge, where the people need proof or evidence for everything that they have to do or believe in. in this era where metaphysical analysis is a reality, people believe in things they can see, or test. It is no wonder that there are a lot of laboratory tests and experiments that are carried out day after day; all with the aim of providing proof for what the people believe in. Philosopher.org.uk (n.d) has it that one of Continue reading...

In our lives we are haunted by several questions that we face concerning the problem of evil. For instance, why does Allah (god) who is all-knowing and all-powerful allow evil to exist in the world? Does god do something about evil? However, we assume that existence that the existence of evil disproves the existence of Allah. In my view I believe that Allah is a god of justice. Therefore this problem of evil in Islamic seems to be complex questions. In the book of Zabur “Evils have encompassed me without number” (Psalm "Zabur” 40:12, RSV)
As we argue Zarathustra Continue reading...

Many people have taken existence of evil and suffering as an ultimate doubt to the existence of God (Oppy & Scott, 4). Oppy and Scott (5) indicates that, it is communicated in terms of repudiation of God’s existence. According to Oppy and Scott (6) sometimes it is communicated in terms of s refutation of the existence of God. In other cases, it is argued as an emotional rejection of a God who let such evil and suffering to people. Oppy and Scott (6) indicates that for many years, many people have tried to rebut the existence of God owing Continue reading...

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet tells the story of the prince of Denmark, who is much troubled by an encounter with his dead father, former king of Denmark, claiming he (the father) was murdered by his brother, the current king of Denmark. Because of the revelation, Hamlet became bothered. The event with his father’s “heavenly body” allowed Hamlet to think about and make a stand about certain dilemmas of life.
The story as previously mentioned is filled different topics and ideas that usually plague an individual or a nation at their time and age. Ideas of the fear of Continue reading...

Descartes

In his Meditation Descartes provides two arguments for the existence of God. One argument is a causal argument while the other one is an ontological argument for the existence of God.  The ontological argument for the existence of God that he proposed in fifth Meditation is a straightforward one. Descartes claims that our idea of God is the idea of a perfect being. Perfection entails lack of nothing so, if something is perfect, then it must exist because something that does not exist cannot be perfect. But, God is perfect; therefore, he has to exist. The perfection of God Continue reading...

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Surprise ending

At the beginning of the reading, Descartes devotes himself to uncovering the truth about himself using any viable means. In search of his answers, Descartes applies known methods. He applies a widely known philosophical adage that ‘I think, so I exist’ (Descartes, 2010). He also tries to pretend that his thoughts are illusions of his dream about his existence. He later found that to think that his thoughts are dreams or illusions justify the philosophy that he thinks, thus, he must exist. All his known methods of getting a solution to explain his existence prove to Continue reading...

Argumentative Essay

The line that I am comfortable with the most is the conceptual way of thinking. The definition of God given by Anselm is the most interesting line in the argument. He states “God is that, than which nothing greater can be conceived” (94). This designation captures all human imagination of a greater being than anything else in the world and he ascribes the name God to this being, which makes it inconceivable to have any other god or being with that definition. He then states “that which can be conceived not to exist is not God” (94). This helps Continue reading...

Historically, there have been numerous attempts by religious philosophers to explain and prove the existence of God. However, it has attracted numerous attention from scholars, critics and researchers who have contributed significantly in understanding this contentious argument. Therefore, there has been different versions of the argument, which purport and indicate that it is self contradictory, denying that there exists a supreme being. Religious philosophers state that it is a reasonable belief that God exists because anybody purporting that nothing exists would have to exist, and they would be defeating their own argument. People who argue against the existence God Continue reading...

Introduction -

Thomas Aquinas posited five proofs for the existence of God in his Summa Theologica, one of the most influential theological philosophy treatises in history. For Aquinas, one need not look beyond the evidence of the natural world to find reasons to believe in God, a presence without which motion, natural design or physical existence itself would be impossible. Aquinas sought to modify many of the rational systems that had been in place for centuries, such as the arguments attributed to Anselm. In his way, Aquinas tried to resolve the mystery of faith with a growing desire to introduce some Continue reading...

In his treatise entitled “Meta-atheism: Religious Avowal as Self-Deception,” Georges Rey outlines in quite clear terms his rationale for doubting the true existence of theists and of the possibility that thinking, educated people could harbor an innate belief in the existence of God. Rey’s strongest arguments are evidentiary in nature. In other words, the absence of any clear, objective evidence that God exists establishes a strong foundation upon which to base the contention that there is no such being. As such, Rey contends that “the reasons for atheism are obvious, and not dependent on subtle metaphysics or sophisticated Continue reading...

The philosophy on the existence of God is highly visionary, but also one of the most controversial. In most cases, philosophers argue that a deity and controls all beings. However, no one establishes specifically where the being resided and the true nature of the being. In his meditations, Rene Descartes tries to prove to the philosophy world that God exists. He laid forward a number of arguments o show that God truly exists and demystified most of the views that God did not exist. This paper analyzes the statements and arguments by Rene Descartes in support of the view Continue reading...

Dawkins Richard compares religion to a virus, which spreads and infects the weak-minded people, making them produce aberrant behavior. Like a virus, religion begins as a by- product, and use human beings to propagate its spread. Religions are costly to those infected in them, just as the idea of viruses. Religions demand large amounts of time and money impose health risks and make people believe in things that are contradicting. Religions and viruses succeed by using threats and promises, which People accept and want to pass. This is evident in Michael Blume’s speech, “The reproductive advantage of religion.” Continue reading...

In his “Third Meditation,” Descartes puts forward two arguments for the existence of God. They are the ‘Proof of God’ argument and the ‘Human Error’ argument. It is interesting that he felt the need for two arguments to prove the existence of God. The main difference appears to be that the first argument is suitable for people who are already believers of God. If, however, an individual is not a believer, the second argument may be more relevant to them.
Descartes claimed that there are three types of ideas. These are Innate, Factitious, and Adventitious (Meditation). Innate ideas, he Continue reading...

Everyone one of us will one day die, and even without us, the world will still go on. Samuel Scheffler in his greatly original book “Death and Afterlife” tackles the various ways the values in our lives are obliviously but powerfully affected by these facts, as well as the motives that define them. The afterlife he discusses is not the personal afterlife in which an individual continues to exist in some form after dying. According to Scheffler, a personal afterlife does not exist, and he poses a question regarding how we should perceive our individual mortality, in case our Continue reading...

Absurdism as a worldview theory is a part of the philosophy of existentialism; and as the fundamental philosophical concept it was firstly developed in the work of Albert Camus “The Myth of Sisyphus”. As a system of philosophical views, it claims the lack of meaning of human life (the absurdity of life existence). According to the absurdism, people have been trying to find the meaning of existence throughout their history. Traditionally, these attempts have ended in one of two ways: man has come to the conclusion that all life is senseless or he has started to understand that everything Continue reading...

Abstract

In this paper is considered one of the most popular psychological theories – existential theory. This work is about the history of existential theory, its main questions, problems and purposes, about strengths and weaknesses of existential vision.

History of the Theory

Existentialism (or also the philosophy of existence) is a special area in the philosophy of the XX century, accentuate your attention on the uniqueness of human existence, proclaiming his irrational. Existentialism developed in parallel lines akin personalism and philosophical anthropology, from which it differs primarily the idea of overcoming (not disclosing) the person's own spirit and a greater emphasis on the depth of Continue reading...

“We thought we knew what we meant by the expression “Being” but now we are perplexed.” Heidegger quotes from Sophist by Plato;
Despite the strong synonymy of the term Dasein with Martin Heidegger, this fundamental concept in existential philosophy was used by several philosophers before his treatment. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel notably assigned the meaning of “existence” or “presence” to it. However, Heidegger’s interpretation has attracted more relevance, as a way of ones involvement with and caring for the immediate world that frames his life; whilst remaining alive to the contingent element of that involvement, the priority of Continue reading...

Introduction

“Cogito ergo sum” is a Latin phrase translated in English as “I think, therefore I am”. The phrase was Rene Descartes’ (1596-1650) philosophical proposition of existence in that he knew he was somewhere as an entity because of his capacity to have thoughts. The proposition has been perceived by western scholars as the foundation for all knowledge because while some objects can be queried if the belong to the realm of imagination or reality, the act of doubting ones existence is proof enough of the reality of their existence (Broughton, 109). I agree with Descartes proposal based on my Continue reading...

There are quite a number of arguments on the existence of God. First is the ontological argument that seeks to prove that God exists based on reason. It argues that one does not necessarily have to prove any evidence to justify God’s existence. This in my opinion is the paramount argument, as the existence of God seems to be too obvious to doubt. The fact that there is a God makes sense to most people.

The first cause argument is also used to argue a case for God’s existence. Here, God is presumed to exist given the Continue reading...

For a long time, there has been debate across the world regarding the existence of other life forms in other places outside the earth. From the time when human started to gain a deeper understanding of the universe, people continue to intuate that the outer space and other planets contains some form of civilization and other forms of life. This paper will explore this issue by synthesizing research and opinion regarding the existence of life in the outer space.
For many years, the belief that there was life in space was very common among many scientists. To try and Continue reading...

The aim of this essay is to present you with the reflections drawn upon the reading of the poem ‘A dialogue between the Soul and the Body’ which was written by Andrew Marvell and published after his death in 1681. Andrew Marvell is considered to be one of the representative poets of Metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical poetry which arose within the 17th century is a field of poetry which is characterized by specific characteristics of a so-called metaphysical nature. Poets focus on using symbols and conceits in order to approach issues and questions related to the metaphysical nature of human Continue reading...

Critical Commentary On Anselm’s Ontological “Proof” For The Existence Of God

In this commentary, I shall offer a philosophical analysis of Anselm of Canterbury’s work The Proslogion, paying special attention to his “ontological argument” for the existence of God. I will refer to the text as reprinted in the anthology Readings in Christian Thought (Second Edition) edited by Hugh T. Kerr. All quotes are primary source citations from Anselm and refer to the translation prepared by Eugene R. Fairweather, reprinted in Kerr’s edition.
As Kerr points out in his brief introduction to the “Ontological Argument” excerpt from The Proslogion, the original subtitle of the text is “Faith Seeking Continue reading...

Radical skepticism was just a tool in the rationalist philosophy of Rene Descartes, since he wanted to establish clear and distinct proof for the existence of minds and bodies, and found that ultimately he was unable to doubt his own existence. From this he derived the fundamental precept of Cogito ergo sum (I think therefore I exist) and from this went on to affirm the existence of God and the physical universe. No sane or rational person could seriously doubt their own existence or the reality of physical objects outside of themselves, no matter how flawed or imperfect human Continue reading...