What is Anselm's response to Gaunilo, and does it succeed? Explain.

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The Answer is Anselm's response to Gaunilo is found in his work "On Behalf of the Fool." In this work, Anselm argues that Gaunilo's objection to his ontological argument is based on a misunderstanding of the nature of God. Anselm asserts that God, as the greatest conceivable being, must exist in reality, not just in the mind. He argues that Gaunilo's objection, which uses the example of a perfect island, fails to apply to the concept of God because God's existence is necessary, while the existence of a perfect island is contingent.

Anselm's response can be seen as successful in that it effectively refutes Gaunilo's objection by highlighting the unique nature of the concept of God as the greatest conceivable being. Anselm's argument is based on the idea that God's existence is necessary and not contingent, which sets God apart from any other conceivable being, such as a perfect island.

However, some critics argue that Anselm's response may not fully succeed in addressing Gaunilo's objection, as it relies heavily on the specific nature of the concept of God and may not be convincing to those who do not already accept Anselm's premises about the nature of God. Ultimately, the success of Anselm's response to Gaunilo depends on one's acceptance of his ontological argument and the unique nature of the concept of God.

What Is Anselm's Response to Gaunilo, and Does It Succeed