Proof for the Existence of God Philosophy Essay

Opinions relating in favor of and in opposition to the existence of God have been

controversial from many years as anticipated by philosophers, theologians, scientists, and
others. The discussion with reference to the existence of God is very traditional and most
argued debates in human history. The existence of God is a matter of debate in
philosophy, the philosophy of religion, and popular culture. This report presents the different
sides and opinions of philosophers that at different time periods argued about the existence
of God and its need as well as the analysis of different views to present the controversial
topic in detail.

Definition of God
In contemporary Western culture, the perception of ‘God’ normally relates to a monotheistic,
superlative, eventual, and personal being. This view is mostly originated from Christian and
Hebrew traditions. Traditional view portrayed God as having perfection in almost everything.
Many religions and different societies believe that God is a body that cannot be defined.
They alleged that this act can deny the magnificent nature of God. Some traditional
philosophical approaches defined God as “the prime mover” or “the uncaused cause”, “the
ultimate creator”, or “a being that than which nothing greater can be conceived”. (Steve
Rudd, 2012)

Arguments for the existence of God

Aquinas’ Five Ways argued that the God exists and it’s necessary to prove this controversy.
The summarized points from that literature are discussed below:

The argument relating unmoved mover emphasized that, we experience motion in the

universe from where we assume that there exists an initial mover. Aquinas predicted that
the motion is created because of an unmoved object; therefore there must be an unmoved
mover.

Aquinas’ another view discussed that from first cause foundation it is impracticable for an

organism to create itself. Therefore, it predicts that there must be a first cause that is itself
uncaused.

The argument from necessary being declares that all organisms are conditional which

means that they also have choice of no existence. Aquinas therefore sets his point that if
everything chooses not to exist, then we may not have anything in the universe. But as
things exist now, there must exist a being regarded as God with necessary existence.

Aquinas argued from degree of goodness that there are always things that are good or bed
from others. He believed that there must be a maximum goodness which causes all
goodness.
The teleological argument asserts the view that unintelligent things are ordered to be in
position. Aquinas concentrates on the view that unintelligent objects can only be ordered by
an intelligent being, which proves that there must be an intelligent being God to move
objects to specific purpose. (Theodore Gracyk, 2004)

The ontological argument was presented by philosophers including St. Anselm and René

Descartes. The argument puts forward that the existence of God is obvious and self-
evident. The formulation of logic they proposed is presented below:

God is the greatest conceivable being.

It is greater to exist than not to exist.

Therefore, God exists.

(Oppy and Graham, 1996 revised in 2011)

Different philosophers argued that the existence of God in not necessary because there is
no proof that if something is predictive or superlative it also exists. The debate was
controversial and is also in modern time builds up the arguments to conclude that either
God exist or not and if its existence is necessary.

Arguments from historical events or personages

Christianity and Judaism believe that God interfered and shows his existence in almost
every specific event and situations in history. Those events and the interference proved that
there is empirical evidence that God exists. For example the event of Exodus and the giving
of the Ten Commandments in front of all the tribes of Israel.

The Resurrection of Jesus argues that there is adequate historical confirmation for
resurrection of Jesus to support his asserts to be the son of God which proved the God’s
existence. This argument stem from the Christological argument.

Islam argued that the revelation of its holy book, the Qur’an, justifies its heavenly
authorship, and thus the existence of God.

The bible that is Holy book of Christians argued that there is one mighty and strong being in
the universe, which declares the existence of God. (Dr. Andrew Corbett, 2009)

Hindu arguments
Most schools of Hinduism believe that there is existence of
God but some of them don’t believe that. Law of karma
provide basis of the existence of God. They believe that
the actions of karma are not performed by humans and
one own self so there must be an existence of God to
control and monitor all karmatic actions. They also believe
that fruits of karma are transferred and dispensed through
a body that is known as God and thus proved the
existence. (Siyam, 2012)
Arguments from testimony
Arguments from testimony are based on experience of witnesses, possibly exemplifying the
intentions of a specific revealed religion. It is the fundamental of rationality that one should
accept testimony except there are powerful motives for not doing so.

Arguments against the existence of God

Each of the following arguments aims at showing either that a particular subset of gods
does not exist through contradictions in arguments or that there is insufficient reason to
believe in them. Some arguments are discussed below that present the opposite and
contradictory views relating existence of God.

Empirical arguments
Empirical arguments depend on empirical data in order to prove their conclusions.

The major arguments can be derived from the traditional and religious scriptures like the
Jewish Tanakh, the Christian Bible, the Muslim Qur’an, Hindu Vedas. The understanding of
scripture provide basis to the knowledge of God’s existence.

The theist arguments relating existence of God and its fundamentals are called theodicies.

The argument from nonbelievers contests the existence of an omnipotent God who wants

humans to believe in him by arguing that such a god would do a better job of gathering
believers. (Lawrence Croker, 2011)

Deductive arguments
Deductive arguments attempt to prove their conclusions by deductive reasoning from true
premises.

The Ultimate Boeing 747 gambit is a counter-argument to the argument from design. The

argument rests on the view that there is a designer that creates complex structures and
design. So the God, we are talking about, should be as complicated as all things He has
created in the universe. This situation also requires a designer. And its designer would also
require a designer, ad infinitum. Therefore the views create infinite contradiction that there
is a need of another designer to create a complex being.

The omnipotence paradox recommends that the perception of an omnipotent being is

rationally conflicting, for instance, for this purpose, questions like is “GOD have all the
authority? ” or can a mountain be created by God, so big that it cannot be moved by
Himself.

The Omniscience paradox demonstrates a different angle of the omnipotence paradox.

Omnipotent and omniscience disagree with concept of existence of God.

The problem of hell is the idea that everlasting damnation for actions committed in a finite
existence contradicts God’s Omni benevolence or omnipresence.

A contradictory argument against the Cosmological argument i.e. chicken or egg is based

on supposition that things cannot subsist without creators therefore should also apply to
God creation and existence. This also lays foundation that existence of universe as a
second cause.

Theological non cognitivism also contradict the god-concept by showing that scientific test
cannot verify it.

This argument says that if God is morally perfect, omniscient and omnipotent, than instead
of imperfect human beings, He would have created other morally perfect beings. (John
Shook, 2011)

Inductive arguments
Inductive arguments predict existence of God based on inductive reasoning.

The atheist-existentialist argument that it is impossible to present existence of a perfect

sentient being. It also argued that if existence comes before spirit, it follows from the
connotation of the expression sentient that a sentient being cannot be inclusive or perfect.

“No reason” argument attempts to reveal that an omniscient or omnipotent probably have
no reason to do it in this way, especially the creation of universe, as it may likely to have no
wants, needs, or desires etc. as these concepts are strictly relevant to human beings. so
omnipotent god cannot exist until the universe exists.

Since the universe exists, there is a contradiction, and therefore, an The other argument
known as “historical induction” concludes that since most theistic religions all the way
through narration and their gods ultimately come to be considered as fictitious or mistaken,
all theistic religions, including contemporary ones, are therefore most likely untrue and
incorrect by induction. (John Shook, 2011)
Subjective arguments
Similar to the subjective arguments for the existence of God are contradictory with the
supernatural that chiefly based on the testimony or experience of witnesses, or the
suggestions of a revealed religion in common.

The spectator argument provides trustworthiness to personal witnesses, contemporary and

from the past, who disbelieve or strongly doubt the existence of God.

The disappointment argument claims that if, when asked for, there is no visible help from
God, there is any reason to believe that there is a God. (John Shook, 2011)

Conclusions
Conclusions on the existence of God can be categorized along abundant axes, producing a
variety of vies about the existence and no existence of God. Theism and atheism are
positions of belief (or lack of it), while Gnosticism and agnosticism are positions of
knowledge (or the lack of it) is concerns belief regarding God’s conceptual coherence. A
pantheism concerns belief on the subject of the practical importance of whether God exists
or not.

The above discussion presents both views of the different philosophers and testimonies
relating God existence. The views presented above are justified and contradicted based on
different arguments and discussions based on several philosophical authors and religions
therefore clearing the views of both sides that either God exist or not exist. The topic is still
controversial and several philosophers are still arguing and practice their specific opinions
relating this fact.