PHIL 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Dream Argument

• School: Irvine Valley College
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHIL 1
• Professor: Martin

Document Summary

This proof is cyclical, because in order to assume that god is perfect, you must assume that god exists in the first place. If there were no god to claim all perfections, then god doesnt exist. Something that exists is more perfect than something that does not. So, if we exist, we are perfect. Since god is perfect, god has to exist. Perfections are positive qualities, and imperfections are the lack of positive qualities. Existence by itself does not constitute a perfect being. Thus, only a perfect being can use existence as a proof. Only god can use existence as a proof. I need to prove the existence of god to prove my clear and. But i need to trust my clear and distinct perceptions in order to prove god. So, i need to prove god to prove the existence of god.