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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Anselmian Theism and Indefinitely Extensible Perfection
Article first published online: 3 SEP 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9213.2012.00091.x
© 2012 The Author The Philosophical Quarterly © 2012 The Editors of The Philosophical Quarterly
Additional Information
How to Cite
Bohn, E. D. (2012), Anselmian Theism and Indefinitely Extensible Perfection. The Philosophical Quarterly, 62: 671–683. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9213.2012.00091.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 3 SEP 2012
- Article first published online: 3 SEP 2012
The Anselmian Thesis is the thesis that God is that than which nothing greater can be thought. In this paper, I argue that such a notion of God is incoherent due to greatness being indefinitely extensible: roughly, for any great being that can be, there is another one that is greater, so there cannot be a being than which nothing greater can be.
Someone will say that it is impossible to produce the best, because there is no perfect creature, and that it is always possible to produce one which would be more perfect.’
. Theodicy. Edited by A. Farrer (Chicago, IL: Open Court, 1985. Pp. 249.)