QUOD NON POSSIT COGITARI NON ESSE.
The Logical Necessity of Existence
Anselm argues that a being than which a greater cannot be thought must necessarily exist, because existence is greater than non-existence.
That which is so truly, that it cannot even be thought not to exist. For something can be thought to exist that cannot be thought not to exist, and that is greater than what can be thought not to exist. So if that than which a greater cannot be thought can be thought not to exist, then that same thing than which a greater cannot be thought is not that than which a greater cannot be thought, and that cannot hold together. Therefore something truly exists than which a greater cannot be thought, so that it cannot even be thought not to exist.
Applying the Proof to God
Anselm directly addresses God, confessing that He alone is this necessary being who cannot be thought not to exist.
And you are this, Lord our God. So truly are you, Lord my God, that you cannot be thought not to exist.1
The Creator-Creature Distinction
Because no creature can surpass the Creator, God alone possesses existence most truly, while all other things can be thought not to exist.
And rightly so. For if any mind could think of something better than you, the creature would rise above the Creator and pass judgment on the Creator — which is utterly absurd. And indeed, whatever else exists apart from you alone can be thought not to exist. Therefore you alone are most truly of all beings, and for that reason you most of all possess existence: because whatever else exists is not truly so, and for that reason it possesses existence less.
The Fool's Denial
Anselm wonders why the fool denies God's existence when it is so clear, concluding that such denial is simply the nature of foolishness.
Why, then, did the fool say in his heart, "There is no God," when it is so readily clear to the rational mind that you exist above all things?✦2 Why — unless it's because he is a fool and senseless?
Read the original Latin
Quod utique sic vere est, ut nec cogitari possit non esse. Nam potest cogitari esse aliquid, quod non possit cogitari non esse; quod maius est quam quod non esse cogitari potest. Quare si id quo maius nequit cogitari, potest cogitari non esse: id ipsum quo maius cogitari nequit, non est id quo maius cogitari nequit; quod convenire non potest. Sic ergo vere est aliquid quo maius cogitari non potest, ut nec cogitari possit non esse.
Et hoc es tu, domine deus noster. Sic ergo vere es, domine deus meus, ut nec cogitari possis non esse. Et merito. Si enim aliqua mens posses cogitare aliquid melius te, ascenderet creatura super creatorem, et iudicaret de creatore; quod valde est absurdum. Et quidem quidquid est aliud praeter te solum, potest cogitari non esse. Solus igitur verissime omnium, et ideo maxime omnium habes esse: quia quidquid aliud est non sic vere, et idcirco minus habet esse. Cur itaque "dixit insipiens in corde quo: non est deus", cum tam in promptu sit rationali menti te maxime omnium esse? Cur, nisi quia stultus et insipiens?
Scripture echoes
- ↩Ps.14.1 — To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have done abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
Notes
Proslogion (Address / Discourse on the Existence of God) companion
One chapter of historic wisdom, every day
Chosen Portion delivers works like the Proslogion as short daily readings with a prayer — free on iOS.
Anselm designed the Proslogion to be read slowly as prayer, and the Chosen Portion app serves it exactly that way — one short portion per day.
- Finish the entire Proslogion in 14 days at about 10 minutes a day
- Modern-English rendering of all 27 chapters, no Latin required
- Each reading paired with Anselm's own prayers so study ends in worship