There is the Ontological Proof for the Existence of God that comes from Anslem, a Roman Catholic Saint. Descarte took his argument and used it in the Meditations on First Philosophy.
According to the argument, Richard, I can doubt everything except for the fact that I am doubting. Since doubting is a form of thinking, I am Absolutely Certain that I exist as a doubter and confused being in the world. I doubt, therefore I exist. (Now you know with absolute certainty that you exist, Richard!!!) But it is impossible to be aware of oneself as a doubter or confused being in the world unless one is simultaneously aware of perfection, of the infinite. It is impossible to know what tall is unless you know what short is. It is impossible to know what manipulation is unless you know what the unmanipulated is. I can't know what the finite is unless I am simultaneously aware of what the infinite is. But since I know myself as finite being who doubts, I must know the infinite. But how can I know the infinite if I am finite? How can I know that I am imperfect unless I know what is perfect? According to Anslem and Descarte, the Perfect or God makes that distinction or contrast to human reason. Thus, God exists.
PS Powerful Argument. The refutation comes from Martin Luther, who says that human reason can not access the thoughts of God.
PSS Can you give me an example of the unmanipulated? Otherwise how do you know for sure that manipulation exists? |
