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Atheism

Modal Ontology

1 min read 183 words

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👍 (3)

P1: It is possible that a maximally great being (G) exists necessarily.

Where G(x) = x is maximally great, i.e.:

  • Omnipotent (qadīr),

  • Omniscient (ʿalīm),

  • Morally perfect (ḥakīm, raḥmān),

  • And necessarily existent (wājib al-wujūd).

P2: If it is possible that a maximally great being exists, then a maximally great being exists in some possible world. (From the meaning of modal possibility)

P3. If a maximally great being exists in some possible world, then it exists in every possible world. (Because maximal greatness entails necessary existence)

P4: If a maximally great being exists in every possible world, then it exists in the actual world. (By the S5 modal logic axiom: □P → P)

P5: Therefore, a maximally great being exists in the actual world. (From P1–P4)

P6. The being that is maximally great and necessarily existent possessing all perfections is what in Islam we refer to as God, who is:

  • al-Qadīr (All-Powerful)

  • al-ʿAlīm (All-Knowing)

  • al-Raḥmān (Most Merciful)

  • al-Ḥayy (Ever-Living)

  • al-Wājib al-Wujūd (Necessary Existent)

C: Therefore, God the maximally great and necessarily existing being exists.