necessary existence

religion

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July 1, 2026

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The concept of "necessary existence" in philosophy refers to a being whose existence is not contingent but is required by its very nature. This idea is central to the ontological argument, a philosophical argument for the existence of God.

The ontological argument, notably formulated by St. Anselm and later by René Descartes, posits that God is the greatest conceivable being. If God did not exist, a greater being (one with existence) could be conceived, which is a contradiction. Therefore, God must exist.

Critics, such as Immanuel Kant, have argued that existence is not a predicate or attribute that can be added to a concept. More recent attempts have focused on "necessary existence" as a property, suggesting that a being with this attribute cannot coherently be thought not to exist. However, this has been met with criticism regarding the distinction between logical and factual necessity.123

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Christianity
The ontological argument
This hinges upon “necessary existence,” a property with even higher value than “existence.” A being that necessarily exists cannot coherently be thought not to exist. And so God, as the unsurpassably perfect being, must have necessary existence—and therefore must exist. This argument, however, has been criticized as failing…
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This hinges upon “necessary existence,” a property with even higher value than “existence.” A being that necessarily exists cannot coherently be thought not to exist. And so God, as the unsurpassably perfect being, must have necessary existence—and therefore must exist. This argument, however, has been criticized as failing…
Read More