Anselm Essays - Philosophy Of Religion, , Term Papers

Anselm Not every great writer can be correct in what he or she is saying. This is the idea that Gaunilo had in mind when he wrote his criticism to St. Anselms Ontological Argument which states that if something greater than anything else that could be thought of is conceived in the understanding then it must exist. Gaunilo says it is foolish to believe in the existence of something just because it is understood. He says there must be some kind of other explanation. In this paper, I will try to explain both Anselms theory and Gaunilos argument by first breaking each of them down in simpler terms. I will attempt to show what Gaunilo is trying to discredit with his objection. One of St. Anselms theological topics deals with the Ontological Argument in which discusses the idea of existence. He gives a definition of God as that than which nothing greater can be conceived (69). His idea being that God is the ultimate being or the greatest possible being (68). He says there is nothing anyone can possibly imagine that could be better than Him. This argument gives God the highest human qualities possible. He is omnipotent as well as omniscient. Anselm suggests that there is no one or nothing in this world that is greater than God is (69). This perfection that God possesses leads into the fact that He must exist. He is trying to create the idea that God exists and nothing can be better than he can be. However, one must ask where Anselm gets his proof. What evidence does he have to back up his argument? If nothing greater than God can be conceived in anyones understanding, God is said to be humanly perfect. Since to be perfect, in part, is to exist; something that does not exist cannot be perfect. Something that exists has to be better than something that does not exist simply because it is here. If a child imagines the greatest toy he can think of and then is able to play with it, it has to be better than just the image of the toy in the childs mind. He can feel it and hold it and play with this perfect thing that nothing, in his eyes, can beat. He says it is perfect and part of that perfection comes from the fact that he can play with his creation. If God is perfect in human terms then he must exist, because if he did not then one can imagine something greater that does. What Anselm is saying is that God is perfect, to be perfect is to exist; therefore, God exists. Anselm uses an analogy of a fool to try and display what is meant by his idea. First, he says, Truly there is a God, although the fool hath said in his heart, There is no God (68). The fool is questioning whether or not God exists. He understands what God is, and he knows that God is the greatest being that can be conceived. He understands that this being known as God possesses every human perfection possible. This then, puts God into his understanding or rather, into his mind just as the toy was in the mind of the child. However, the fool cannot understand God to exist. He knows what the greatest being is; he just cannot see that being in front of him. He does not understand that something can exist in reality without being a concrete item or being. He cannot touch God or talk to or listen to God. He can only see God in his mind, so he is confused as to whether God really exists in the world (69). If the boy can see the toy in his mind and yet cannot touch and play with the toy, he is going to have a tough time trying to understand that the toy really does exist. Anselm also tells the story of the painter in which he is explaining the same idea. He says a painter who has an idea of a picture understands it to exist in his understanding or in his mind. He does not understand it to exist in the world

Free Essays on Business Law Report - Contracts

Business Law Report - Contracts The following report is based upon the following scenario. Cooper offers to purchase Brant’s coin collection for $5,000, and Brian accepts Cooper’s offer. Assuming that their agreement has met all the requirements for a valid contract, analyze this contractual situation in regards to different positions that each party can assume. In the first situation that will be analyzed, the contract is written, Brant is a minor, and Cooper is an adult. Brant sold the coin collection to Cooper in exchange for $5,000. Brant then has a change of heart and wants to recover his coin collection from Cooper. The issue is whether or not Brant is allowed to do this while he was still a minor and what if Brant was a minor at the time of the sale, but did not decide that he wanted the coin collection back until a year after his eighteenth birthday. First we have to address the issue of the written contract. To address this issue you must consider if this rule falls under the Stature of Frauds. The Statute of Frauds stipulates which contracts need to be in written form to be enforceable. (West 270) One of the rules states that a contract for goods priced over $500 must be written. So, this contract is acceptable by law. (West 275) Next we can address the issue about Brant being a minor. In the first scenario, it states that Brant is a minor and that he wasn’t to stop the contract while he is still a minor. Since Brant is a minor, the contract can be disaffirmed at his option. (West 240) Brant must return what he received from Cooper in the contract which is $5,000 and Cooper must return the coins. Because of this, Brant cannot receive the coin collection back until he returns the money to Cooper. Lastly, there is the issue about Brant wanting the coin collection back after he reaches the age of majority. Current laws stipulate that minors have the opportunity of disaffirming a contract if it done... Free Essays on Business Law Report - Contracts Free Essays on Business Law Report - Contracts Business Law Report - Contracts The following report is based upon the following scenario. Cooper offers to purchase Brant’s coin collection for $5,000, and Brian accepts Cooper’s offer. Assuming that their agreement has met all the requirements for a valid contract, analyze this contractual situation in regards to different positions that each party can assume. In the first situation that will be analyzed, the contract is written, Brant is a minor, and Cooper is an adult. Brant sold the coin collection to Cooper in exchange for $5,000. Brant then has a change of heart and wants to recover his coin collection from Cooper. The issue is whether or not Brant is allowed to do this while he was still a minor and what if Brant was a minor at the time of the sale, but did not decide that he wanted the coin collection back until a year after his eighteenth birthday. First we have to address the issue of the written contract. To address this issue you must consider if this rule falls under the Stature of Frauds. The Statute of Frauds stipulates which contracts need to be in written form to be enforceable. (West 270) One of the rules states that a contract for goods priced over $500 must be written. So, this contract is acceptable by law. (West 275) Next we can address the issue about Brant being a minor. In the first scenario, it states that Brant is a minor and that he wasn’t to stop the contract while he is still a minor. Since Brant is a minor, the contract can be disaffirmed at his option. (West 240) Brant must return what he received from Cooper in the contract which is $5,000 and Cooper must return the coins. Because of this, Brant cannot receive the coin collection back until he returns the money to Cooper. Lastly, there is the issue about Brant wanting the coin collection back after he reaches the age of majority. Current laws stipulate that minors have the opportunity of disaffirming a contract if it done...

Gratuities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Gratuities - Essay Example In the instant case, as the Chief of Police, it becomes my primary responsibility to uphold the above principles and set an example to my colleagues and subordinates. However, the owner of the restaurant has been operating in the city for the past 15 years and the free meals he offers to the police officers is a token of his appreciation for the efficient services they render and not a favor that the officers extract. In addition, he is also a personal friend of the mayor, my boss. Thus, it appears that the restaurant owner has been offering gratuities to the officers with the tacit knowledge of the mayor. Under the present circumstances, where police corruption has become a threat to nations across the globe, as a responsible officer, I cannot tolerate the acceptance of gratuities in any form, especially when the criminal justice system is planning and implementing various policies for the prevention of corruption. Therefore, I will very politely refuse the offer of the restaurant o wner. In addition, I will also request him to not extend any such favor anymore to the officers of my department. I will also explain the situation to the mayor and apprise him of the policies that our department have on such issues. On the other hand, I understand that my decision may hurt the bona fide intention of this man and, hence, I will agree to accept some contribution from him for any facility or utility for the public visiting the police stations for any service such as building a rest room. However, prior to committing anything, I will discuss the issue in detail with my boss, the mayor. Thus, a liberal citizen’s contribution to the services we offer will ultimately revert to the benefit of the other citizens in the community. Question 2: The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides the â€Å"national framework† for managing and supporting operations during any emergency, based on standardized incident management strategies (Emergency Operations Plan, 2013, p.8). The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standard command and control system as stipulated by NIMS for the â€Å"response at the scene of incident† (Local and Tribal NIMS Integration, n.d., p.8). Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), on the other hand, is a guide that contains the relevant guidelines to be followed â€Å"before, during, and after† an incident or emergency (Emergency Operations Plan, 2013, p.5). The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) serves as the â€Å"focal point† for managing information, making decision and providing support as well as â€Å"resource distribution† during emergencies (p.5). Thus, it transpires that the NIMS, ICS, EOP and EOC are the major components for the management of various operations during an emergency. NIMS prescribe the uniform standard and all the other components that work together during any major incident. While EOP is the set of policies to be formulated locally to counter any emergency, these wi ll be based on the standards that NIMS prescribes, the EOC and ICS execute the policies and procedures that the NIMS stipulate. Therefore, it can be construed that the activities of all these components are interrelated and mutually complementary to one another. These