Descartes's ontological proof of God's existence

Abstract

This paper argues that an examination of the ontology that underpins Descartess Fifth Meditation ontological proof of Gods existence will contribute to a better understanding of the nature and structure of the proof. Attention to the Cartesian meditators development of this ontology in earlier meditations also makes clear why this proof could not have been asserted before the Fifth Meditation. Finally, it is argued that Kants objections against the ontological proof have no force against Descartes particular version of the proof. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.