Topics Worth Investigating

  1. Anselm believes even a foolish person can understand the definition of "God" as "a being than which nothing greater can be conceived." Is this phrase clear and distinct? For example, does a number than which no greater number can be conceived, exist in the same manner as any given number is said to exist?

  2. If an apple has the qualities of being red, fresh, round, and on a tree, need we add an additional quality assuring the apple exists? Is existence a characteristic of things? In what way is something existing in reality greater than something existing only in the mind?

  3. Compare "being in the highest degree" with "existence in the highest degree." Is existence an ordinal or a cardinal property? Can a thing partly or imperfectly exist?