From: utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!faustus
Newsgroups: net.misc
Title: Religous Matters
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.629
Posted: Wed Jan 19 00:13:04 1983
Received: Fri Jan 21 03:55:29 1983



While we're on the subject of religous beliefs, how about the following
proof for the existence of God? It was originally formulated by St.
Amselm of the 11th century (I think) and later used by Descartes,
among others.

First, we will define God as that entity which is the most perfect
in all respects possible. We further assume that to exist is more
perfect than not to exist: this may be disputed by some, but it is
not an unreasonable postulate. Therefore, by definition God exists,
as if he is to be perfect in all ways he must be perfect in the
degree of his existence (i.e. he must have it).
To put it another way, if something we call God does not exist, then
by our reasoning this is not God we are talking about, but something
less perfect. Therefore, again God must exist.

What do you think of this?

                  -Wayne Christopher
                   faustus@berkeley
                   decvax!ucbvax!faustus