Saturday, March 10, 2012
Whether St. Anselm’s Ontological Argument is Philosophically Sound?

This piece is written in the form of St. Thomas's Summa Theologica.  While I illustrate the problem with the Ontological Argument by St. Anselm, I do not disagree with his conclusion, namely the existence of Almighty God.  This is merely a philosophical exercise to illustrate that in the Catholic Life a Catholic must commit himself to philosophical study and discourse.

Whether St. Anselm’s Ontological Argument is Philosophically Sound?

Objection 1: It would seem that Anselm’s ontological argument is sound. Anselm was canonized in 1494 and given the distinction of Doctor of the Church in the 18th century. Therefore, since the Church only honors those individuals who promote orthodoxy and do not adhere to heresy, St. Anselm’s ontological argument must be considered by all Catholics as not only philosophically valid but also sound.

Objection 2: Unlike other substances, the Necessary Existent (i.e. God) has existence as its very essence. And, as such, existence must always be applied to God; it is impossible to imagine the Necessary Existent in a state of not existing. Therefore, Kant’s objection that existence is not a predicate is incorrect.


On the Contrary, Immanuel Kant states, “Time and labour therefore are lost on the famous ontological (Cartestian) proof of the existence of a Supreme Being from mere concepts; and a man might as well imagine that he could become richer in knowledge by mere ideas, as a merchant in capital, if, in order to improve his position, he were to add a few noughts to his cash account" (Beck 291).

I answer that, Anselm’s ontological argument for the existence of God is unsound in the first and third premises, which render the entirety of the argument unsound. Anselm’s argument utilizes a reduction-ad-absurdum approach, whereby Anselm affirms the fool’s claim that there is no God (cf. Psalms xiv. I). Assuming that the fool was correct, then God, that which nothing greater can be conceived, exists in understanding but not in reality. But, it is greater to exist in reality than to exist only in understanding. Therefore, God exists in reality. Anselm’s argument in a more enumerated form states the following:

1. God is that which nothing greater can be conceived
2. God exists in understanding (established in the Psalms)
3. It is greater to exist in reality than in understanding alone
4. If God does not exist in reality, then that which nothing greater can be conceived does not equal that which nothing greater can be conceived
5. Therefore, God exists in reality and not only in understanding

First, one must examine the notion that God is that which nothing greater can be conceived. While such a definition can be theologically orthodox, such a definition is not truly sufficient for the sake of Anselm’s argument. When a person attempts to conceive of this definition, it is impossible to deposit any sort of perceivable reality in his or her mind. No observable color, condition, or state is able to be deposited and as such, the one following the argument does not deposit any real substance in his or her mind.

Thomas Aquinas provides a sufficient objection to Anselm when he observes the distinction between the condition of being self-evident in itself and not to us and self-evident in itself and to us. Since Anselm argues that the existence of God can be known through reason alone and without any observation of the world, it seems that Anselm claims that the existence of God is self-evident in itself and to us. After all, he believes that through reason alone mankind can assent to God, and the existence of God is consequently self evident to all. Thomas argues, “If, therefore the essence of the predicate and subject be known to all, the proposition will be self-evident to all,” (I Q. 2, art. 1 responsio) yet, he further clarifies that if the predicate and subject are unknown to some then the proposition is not self-evident in itself and to us.

Furthermore, Aquinas observes the following observation in the proposition ‘God exists’: “Now because we do not know the essence of God, the proposition is not self-evident to us; but needs to be demonstrated by things that are more known to us…” (I Q. 2, art. 1 responsio).

Therefore, by Aquinas’ logic, Anselm’s argument is insufficient because the initial premise is above the ability of a human being to adequately consider and thereby actually deposit a reality in one’s mind. God’s existence is not self-evident to us, and Anselm’s argument based in large part on definition alone is not sufficient to convert a non-believer. However, in his most blatant rebuttal to Anselm’s definition of God, Thomas states, “Perhaps not everyone who hears this word ‘God’ understands it to signify something than which nothing greater can be thought, seeing that some have believed God to be a body” (I Q. 2, art. Ad 2) And, consequently, the soundness of Anselm’s first premise in the ontological argument is questionable.

Secondly, Anselm’s usage of a priori demonstration to arrive at the conclusion of God’s existence is lacking in comparison to a posteriori demonstration, thereby discrediting his argument. Similarly, according to Thomas, a thing may be demonstrated in one of two ways: through the causes (i.e. a priori) or through the effects (i.e. a posteriori). In particular, Thomas states, “When an effect is better known to us than its cause, from the effect we proceed to the knowledge of the cause” (I Q. 2, art. 2 responsio). And, as generally accepted among Christian philosophers, God’s ways transcend the ways of average human beings, making not only God but His ways beyond our reasoning.

Consequently, in respect to God, we understand the effects of God far better than the causes, and through the effects one is still able to comprehend the thing in question. Therefore, Anselm’s method of a priori demonstration is unbefitting since the effects of God are better known, which means that a posteriori demonstration of God’s existence is the superior form of demonstration in this matter. Thomas not only discusses the two ways of demonstration but also utilizes them in order to create several arguments from a posteriori demonstration (e.g. First Mover, First Cause, et cetera).

Anselm’s argument with its a priori approach, forces the observer to posit knowledge of the Christian God to arrive at the conclusion sought by Anselm. Because the argument does not take into account the effects of God’s actions, one is unable to ascertain – through the argument alone – the traits of God such as His generosity, humility, et cetera. Yet, through an examination of God’s observable presence in the world, one may better understand God while at the same time observing the effects of humility, generosity, et cetera, which must be reciprocally applied to God.

Anselm’s argument as a purely a priori approach does not allow observers to conclude anything about God or even to conclude of the Christian God’s existence. Thomas further states that more than “philosophical science built up by human reason” is necessary for mankind’s salvation; namely sacred doctrine is necessary (I Q. 1, art. 1 responsio). Yet, Anselm’s ontological argument does not profess doctrinal matters but seeks to use only a philosophical approach. Boethius later affirms that God alone has true intelligence while humans only possess reason (Boethius 198). And because of man’s limitations, he is unable to understand theological truths and even arrive at the conclusion of God’s actual existence through a priori demonstration alone.

Thirdly, the third premise of Anselm’s ontological argument is called into question by the advent of Immanuel Kant, who stated that existence is not a property. One is unable to talk about something without presupposing its existence. In this way, existence is not like a color, shape, or characteristic, which can be applied to existing things. Simply put, without presupposing a substance’s existence, one is unable to discuss the substance at all. In this way, Kant’s argument that existence is not a property is supported. And, if existence is not a property, it is no greater to exist in reality than to exist in understanding alone. Therefore, assuming the truth of Kant’s initial claim, existing in reality is not greater than existing in understanding alone. And, if Kant’s argument is proven sound, the third premise of Anselm’s argument will be undoubtedly unsound. If Anselm is unable to prove that existing in reality is greater than existing in understanding, then his argument is ultimately unable to reach the conclusion that God exists in reality.

In summation, due to the questionability of Anselm’s definition of God, the less-than-adequate usage of a priori demonstration, and the notion that existence is not a property, Anselm’s ontological argument is revealed to be unsound.

Reply to Objection 1: While the Church confers the distinction of sainthood and Doctor of the Church only on non-heretics, the reception of these distinctions does not imply that the Church endorses the soundness of each of the philosopher’s premises. Unsound premises neither bar an individual from honors bestowed by the Church nor establish the individual as a heretic.

Reply to Objection 2: Objectors need to revise their arguments to consider theories such as the Atomist Theory. According to the theory, everything necessary consists of atoms, which can be neither created nor destroyed. As a result, atoms are by definition eternal, since they possess “…the simultaneous and complete possession of infinite life” (Boethius 199). Atoms necessarily exist. Therefore, something other than God can be considered as necessarily existing. And, if all physical things are composed of atoms, all physical things are in some sense eternal. Therefore, the Necessary Existent is not a special exception to the general rule, as Objection 2 would advocate.

Works Cited
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Friday, March 9, 2012
Confirmations by Bishop Fellay in Phoenix (February 2012)

The website of the Society recently posted these photos from Confirmations on the weekend of Septuagesima (February 5th).  I happened to arrive at Our Lady of Sorrows in Phoenix that evening and did see Bishop Fellay the next morning.

These photos are from the SSPX.  God bless those who have been confirmed and keep them in His grace!



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Thursday, March 8, 2012
Happy Birthday, Your Excellency!

His Lordship Bishop Williamson is 72 years of age today.  May God grant him continued protection and grace in preaching the True Faith and conferring the life giving Sacraments.
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Holy Week at the Shrine of Christ the King 2012

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Holy Week April 1st-8th
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St. Patrick Novena

Say once a day for 9 days, especially beginning on 8 March and ending on 16 March, the eve of the Feast of St. Patrick. Especially appropriate for those of Irish descent.

Blessed saint Patrick, glorious Apostle of Ireland, who didst become a friend and father to me for ages before my birth, hear my prayer and accept, for God, the sentiments of gratitude and veneration with which my heart is filled. Through thee I have inherited that faith which is dearer than life. I now make thee the representative of my thanks, and the mediator of my homage to Almighty God. 


Most holy Father and patron of my country, despise not my weakness; remember that the cries of little children were the sounds that rose, like a mysterious voice from heaven, and invited thee to come amongst us. Listen, then, to my humble supplication; may my prayer ascend to the throne of God, with the praises and blessings which shall ever sanctify thy name and thy memory. 

May my hope be animated by the patronage and intercession of our forefathers, who now enjoy eternal bliss and owe their salvation, under God, to thy courage and charity. Obtain for me grace to love God with my whole heart, to serve him with my whole strength, and to persevere in good purposes to the end, o faithful shepherd of the Irish flock, who wouldst have laid down a thousand lives to save one soul, take my soul, and the souls of my countrymen, under thy special care. 

Be a father to the Church of Ireland and her faithful people. Grant that all hearts may share the blessed fruits of that Gospel thou didst plant and water. Grant that, as our ancestors of old had learned, under thy guidance, to unite science with virtue, we too, may learn, under thy patronage, to consecrate all Christian duty to the glory of God. I commend to thee my native land, which was so dear to thee while on earth. Protect it still, and, above all, direct its chief pastors, particularly those who teach us. 

Give them grace to walk in thy footsteps, to nurture the flock with the word of life and the bread of salvation, and to lead the heirs of the Saints thou hast formed to the possession of that glory which they, with Thee, enjoy in the kingdom of the Blessed: through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

V. Pray for us, O glorious saint Patrick.
R. And obtain for us the intention of this Novena.
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Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Audio Sermon on St. Thomas Aquinas


Today is the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, who is my Confirmation Patron as well as the patron of the University from which I earned my undergraduate degree.


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Sunday, March 4, 2012
Marcel Lefebvre: An Example of Holiness


Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the one who would not offer "fruits of the earth and work of human hands" An outcast because he offered what Our Lord instructed. He would not co operate with the condemned doctrine of ecumenism, he wanted to preserve the priesthood, and hold fast to tradition, as Our Lord God demanded.

Perhaps no one else in the modern Church has been more calumniated and despised than His Excellency, for the reason that he "delivered that which [he] also received" (cf 1 Cor 15:3).  Michael Davies' "Apologia Pro Marcel" (available online) and "The Horn of the Unicorn" by Professor David Allen White each help illustrate an unbiased life of this man, who should be declared a saint of God.

I encourage all of you to read these two texts if you have been led to believe that Marcel Lefebvre was a "rebel", "excommunicated", or "disobedient." 
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Saturday, March 3, 2012
Sale in Honor of Fulton J Sheen's Cause of Canonization Anniversary

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's Cause of Canonization.  CatechismClass.com proudly include excerpts from Sheen's many literary masterpieces, including his Life of Christ, throughout its lessons.

We are all very pleased to celebrate this year the 10th Anniversary of the Opening of his cause.  Please join with us in praying for his canonization.
Heavenly Father, source of all holiness, You raise up within the Church in every age men and women who serve with heroic love and dedication.  You have blessed your Church through the life and ministry of Your faithful servant, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.  He has written and spoken well of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and was a true instrument of the Holy Spirit in touching the hearts of countless people.
If it be according to Your Will, for the honor and glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of souls, we ask You to move the Church to proclaim him a saint.  We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen
Imprimatur:
+Most Rev. Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
Bishop of Peoria
In honor of the life of the Servant of God Fulton J. Sheen, CatechismClass.com is offering 30% off on its summary of Sheen's Life is Worth Living and their series on The Life of Christ 

Simply enter discount code SheenCause10 and receive 30% off either of these items.

This discount is available only in March!  Please act now. 
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Friday, March 2, 2012
The Top Traditional Catholic Charities: Almsgiving for Traditional Catholics

"Let the charity of the brotherhood abide in you. And hospitality do not forget; for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels" (Heb 13:1-2)

Our Lord Jesus commands us to give alms to the poor, but how are we in the current day able to give alms?  And while we should do so always, there is no better time than during Lent.

As one person writes to me, "In my city, dozens of people daily sit along the sidebar begging for money.  Yet, they likely are not poor.  Some of them are average people that don't want to work and would rather sit outside all day to collect others' pocket change.  Others are drug addicts and alcoholics who seek money to support their addictions.  Surely our Lord is not calling us to support these."

Then how can we give alms when even Catholic Charities and other organizations are no longer truly Catholic? After some investigation, I'm pleased to publish the following 13 Traditional Catholic Charities:

1. The Fatima Center

Dedicated to spreading the Traditional Catholic Faith and the message of Fatima, The Fatima Center was founded by Fr. Gruner and continues his mission of spreading the Faith through its website, social media presence, conferences, and missions. They are a tax-deductible organization worth supporting. Make an online donation.

2. SSPX Asian Missions and Orphanage

In 2009 the Society began the creation of an orphanage in Palayamkottai, India.  All donations to this project and any others for the Asian Missions are tax-deductible on US returns.  In addition to the orphanage, there are several other very worthwhile projects to donate to. Addresses on where to send donations are available here.

3. FSSP Columbian Foundation

The FSSP has a foundation in Colombia with the goal of building a school (and, if possible, eventually a seminary), that needs support. Situated in the municipality of Anolaima in the department of Cundinamarca, 44 miles northwest from the capital of Colombia, Bogotá, the house of Saint Martin de Porres was approved by the bishop of Girardot on 13th May 2006 and canonically erected by Father Devillers on June 29th, 2006 as a house of vocational discernment for candidates to the priesthood in Latin America and constitute therefore the first house of the Fraternity on this continent.

In addition to the vocational discernment, so important for the development and the life of the Church and the Fraternity, this one develops an apostolic activity (celebration of blessings, preaching, catechism, visiting the sick and the old, scoutism) but also educational and social with a project of creating a center for further education for the young people of the village who do not have the possibility to study further than high school, the offer of various courses at technical school level, and finally the creation of an arts school (music, dance, theater and painting) and the organization of a monthly cultural event. You can donate to their Mission work online.

4. Friends of Campos

Friends of Campos, Inc. is a US-based not-for-profit (501c3) that supports the social and educational projects of the Personal Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney, most of which are located around the diocese of Campos dos Goytacazes in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Personal Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney also operates fifteen primary and secondary schools in eleven towns; eight monasteries and convents; three homes for the elderly; as well as centers for the care of needy young children and the mentally handicapped. It also regularly distributes baskets of staple foods to impoverished residents.

5. Traditional Catholic Schools

Let us not forget the many traditional Catholic schools operated by good Catholic priests and orders around the country.  All of these schools would certainly appreciate donations of any size. Besides donating dollars, some of these schools accept Box Tops for Education.  One school, in particular, is Queen of the Holy Rosary Academy in Missouri which accepts the box tops.

Look up traditional Catholic schools and if there is one in your area, see if they accept Box Tops. Box Tops in 2020 switched to an online app where you only need to scan your receipt. No clipping box tops anymore. It's never been easier to raise funds for Catholic schools now.

6. Institute of Christ the King African Missions

For some time now, the priests of the Institute have been present in Gabon and have worked with success under Bishop Obamba, and upon his retirement, under the apostolic administrator and current Archbishop of Libreville, the Most Reverend Mve Engone, as well as under the present bishop of the Diocese of Mouila, Bishop Dominique Bonnet.

Some of the Institute's missions are located in the middle of the jungle. They have, by Divine Providence, restored and constructed several churches, chapels, schools, kindergartens, and medical dispensaries. The native population is very attached to the missionaries, and they are deeply rooted in the beautiful tradition of the Classical Latin Mass.  You can make an online donation here to the African missions or any other apostolates.

7. Traditional Catholic Monasteries & Convents & Orders

If you have read "How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization" by Thomas Woods, you will recall in chapter 3 how Dr. Woods relates the varied, countless achievements from monasticism.  Among them, we have not only the preservation of literacy and the priceless books of Antiquity but countless works of charity, the creation of champagne, the first wide-scale use of water power, the cultivation of agriculture, the clearing of immense areas of previously uninhabitable land, the creation of complex astronomical clocks, and dozens of other significant accomplishments.  We owe a deep debt to the monks for their work in building our society.

In our modern world, many orders have fallen into oblivion as they have abandoned Traditional Catholicism for heretical practices.  Thankfully, there are a number of orders that still observe the Traditional Practices of the Church.  They certainly need our prayers and could use any support that we could send them. You may find some of these orders by clicking here.



8. SSPX Medical Mission in the Philippines

The Medical Mission of the SSPX in the Philippines is certainly a worthy traditional Catholic charity.  It has done great work by reaching out to the poor who have no money to pay for basic medical treatment and who often possess little more than the rudiments of the faith. Everything from catechism to scapular distribution to dental care and minor operations takes place during each mission over the course of two weeks. Visit the website of Rosa Mystica Medical Mission to learn more and make a donation online.

9. SSPX African Missions

A personal favorite charity of mine is the SSPX's African Missions.  There is much that could be said about this mission. Donation information is available on the SSPX African Mission page, along with relevant articles from the missions.

10. Traditional Catholic Radio Stations

While there are very few traditional Catholic media sources, there are a few that provide traditional Catholic programming, chants, and prayers. And they all need your donations to help stay on the air.

11. Give Mass Stipends

Have Mass offered for reparation for your sins or those of your family or friends or have Mass said for the conversion of non-Catholics. You can also have a Mass offered in reparation for all sins and insults against the Blessed Sacrament; having Mass said for this intention gains one a plenary indulgence. To find Traditional Catholic priests or orders that accept online Mass requests, please click here.

12. Catholic Coffee Companies

Shop for your next coffee purchase from a Catholic organization, some of which are run by traditional Catholic monks, and help support them with your purchase. It's a very easy way to help them out. See 10 Catholic Coffee Alternatives to Starbucks.

13. Pro-life Catholic Causes

See my separate list of 12 Pro-life Catholic causes so that you help the work to defend life by Catholic organizations and not ones that are protestant and opposed to the Catholic Faith.

CONCLUSION

It is my hope that this compilation will aid you during this Lent and thereafter, in making donations to organizations that are truly Catholic and faithful to the enduring Traditions of the Church.  If you know of any more organizations, please leave them in the comments section.

Please share this post via Facebook and social media to help other Catholics this Lent in finding traditional organizations for almsgiving. Almsgiving is vitally important for Lent but it should be practiced all year.

Updated: August 17, 2024
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Thursday, March 1, 2012
Catholic Cuisine: Babette's Feast (Movie Recommendation)


I'd like to give a shout-out to a newly discovered blog, Catholic Cuisine.  Naturally as someone concerned with living a Catholic life in tune with the Liturgical Year, I quickly found this blog to be a true gem worthy of bookmarking.  With recipes for everything from First Class feasts to Lenten ferias (and everything in between), I can see the great value in this blog.

This blog helps us create a Catholic ethos in our daily lives.  Meals are meant to be times of celebration and community while linked to the Catholic Liturgical Year.  Unlike the protestant view of meals of "having it your way," (which is personified in fast food), Catholic meals are concerned with order, balance, nutrition, and enriching of the spirit.  The order in table etiquette and manners and the symmetrical order in table setting all tend to the greater order and glory in the created world.

I'd like to recommend, on this same subject, the movie "Babette's Feast."  As Fisheaters explains in regards to the movie, "A sumptuous, visually rich movie that is, on the surface, about a French Catholic woman who flees to Denmark after her husband and son were killed. There, she works as a domestic for two aging Protestant sisters and ends up winning the lottery. Then, after fourteen years of cooking Danish foods in a Puritan style as the sisters instructed, she uses her winnings and skills to prepares a French feast for twelve (undoubtedly not a coincidental number) -- a meal that changes their lives.

"On a deeper level, the movie is about everything from sacrifice, the roads not taken, the mind-body connection, unrequited and uncosummated love, the contrast between the Protestant and Catholic views of the temporal world [especially on food]..."
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