Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How did St. Anselm of Canterbury reply to Gaunilo’s criticism?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
St. Anselm of Canterbury
St. Anselm of Canterbury (center), terra-cotta altarpiece by Luca della Robbia; in the Museo Diocesano, Empoli, Italy.
In response to Gaunilo’s critique, St. Anselm of Canterbury wrote the Liber apologeticus contra Gaunilonem, or "Book of Defense Against Gaunilo."
Gaunilo had challenged Anselm’s ontological argument by arguing that the mere concept of a "perfect island" does not necessitate its actual existence, thereby questioning the rationality of Anselm's claim that the concept of God implies God's reality. In his reply, Anselm essentially reiterated the ontological argument as presented in his Proslogion, maintaining his position that the very idea of a being "than which nothing greater can be conceived" necessitates its existence, as a being that exists in reality is greater than one that exists only in thought.123