Anselm and actuality

Abstract

A version of Anselm’s first ontological argument is symbolized in nonmodal logic with explicit reference to conceivable worlds and beings that exist therein. An ambiguity appears: one symbolization yields an invalid argument with credible premises while another symbolizations yields a valid argument with premises we have no good, non-circular reason to accept. The credibility of one premise of the second version turns on the nature of actuality; I propose that “actual” is an indexical term closely analogous to “present”.