Lets start with the a simple core idea about “God”. Let’s assume that by “God” we mean a maximally great being, perfect in power, knowledge, and goodness, whose greatness would not depend on luck or circumstances but would hold in every possible way reality could be.
Next think about all the possible worlds that could exist in a multiverse similar to Marvels idea of it. All of these ‘what if’ versions of reality are just as real as ours but slightly different, like alternate save files of the same game.
Something is possible if it shows up in at least one save file.
Something is necessary if it shows up in every save file.
A maximally great being would not be great only sometimes.
Greatness here includes necessary existence, which means existing in every possible world.
So here is the argument.
If it is even possible that such a being exists, then it exists in some possible world.
But if it exists in some world as a being that must exist, then by its nature it exists in every world.
If it exists in every world, it exists in ours.
That gives the conclusion, “If God’s existence is possible, then God exists.”
Now this argument isnt without its objections
Objection 1) “The argument assumes too much at the start because maybe a being like that is impossible, like an impossible shape.”
Rebuttal 1) The burden is to show a contradiction in the idea of a maximally great being. All powerful, all knowing, perfectly good, and ‘must exist’ does not contain an obvious clash the way a married bachelor does, so treating the concept as at least possibly real is reasonable and then the argument runs.
Objection 2) “You cannot define something into existence and saying ‘it must exist’ does not make it real.”
Rebuttal 2) The point is not that words create things, it is that if a ‘must exist’ being is even possible, then its nature would make it real in every world.
Objection 3) “The possible worlds logic is too strong or too abstract to tell us anything about reality.”
Rebuttal 3) Possible worlds talk is just a clear way to discuss necessity and many parts of logic use the principle that if something could not fail to exist in some world then it exists in all worlds.
The logic here is pretty clear. Ultimately if God, the ultimate being can exist, then he logically, by his nature, he should.
It may seem a little crazy at first, but once you finally get it, it makes sense.
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