Ren Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy was published in 1641.

Today, much like then, humans still struggle with the concept of a God being in existence. Some believe in one God, others believe in many and some in no God at all. Descartes believed in one God, and Ren argues for Gods existence in his fifth meditation. The fifth meditation: Concerning the Essence of Material Things and Again Concerning God, That He Exists, Descartes uses what is called an ontological argument for proving Gods existence. An ontological argument for Gods existence involved creating a proof for his existence by solely using the definition of God to do so. Ren begins his argument for the existence of God by first discussing the mathematical existence of a triangle. Using this as an example he states that even though there may be no triangles which exist in the real world the essence of a triangle does exist even if only in his mind. He explains further that The triangle has a certain determinate nature.1 By determinate nature he is referring to the idea that a triangle will always have three sides and always have three angles which will always add up to two right angles. This argument for the existence of a triangle starts with the concepts associated with a triangle and states that because he has a clear concept of a triangle it is Something and not merely nothing.2 I agree with Descartes proof for a triangle having a mathematical existence. I do not believe that he has made and unreasonable assumptions in order to prove this. I agree that even if there never is or was a triangle that our senses could perceive the fact that it is a concrete idea makes it real. His argument for the existence of God however, although it is similar in construction, is far more complicated in theory. Descartes basis for his argument is that God is a supremely perfect3 being. This is the idea of god. That he is perfect in every way and Descartes argues that this is undeniable. He makes a comparison between God and perfection and a valley and a mountain. He explains that just like there can be no valley without a mountain and vice versa there can be no god without perfection. He further elaborates on this point by explaining that it is more perfect to exist than to not exist. Because God is wholly perfect then he would therefore exist. This is the framework for the entire meditation, that it is in Gods essence is to be perfect and therefore he exists. This argument is more difficult to agree with in comparison with the triangle argument presented prior. Yes, it is true that Descartes has presented a valid series of concepts which, if all were valid, they would make a correct proof for the existence of God. Although, it is not possible to prove all of the points he presents. He makes a good argument for the idea of God existing but it is difficult to say that in real life he also exists. In the triangle argument Ren says that even though there may be no triangles present in the material world the concept exists without sensory proof and therefore so does the idea of a triangle. This argument should also apply to his argument for the existence of God. Yes, the idea of God is real but that does not mean he exists in our material world. To this Descartes would reiterate his argument about God being perfect and therefore because it is in his essence to be perfect his perfection makes him exist. Someone may object again in reply to
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Ren Descartes

Descartes by saying that the idea of perfection and the word perfect mean different things to different people. If God is perfect why would he create our world which is so flawed and full of imperfections? Why would God create man and woman who are also imperfect? They could build on this objection by saying that a truly perfect God would not have created our world and if this is true than God is not perfect. If God is not perfect than Descartes has no basis for his ontological argument and his position becomes invalid. Descartes brings up an objection of his own. He once again discusses the idea that a mountain and a valley are always coexisting. This means that you can never find a mountain without a valley or have a valley without a mountain, just like God coexists with perfection. He then presents the objection that just because they are inseparable does not mean either one truly exists. Here he is then insinuating that just because God is perfect does not mean that he exists. He goes further and makes a statement about how you can create the idea of a winged horse, even though this is solely a figure of your imagination. Winged horses do not exist in the material world so he is trying to say that just because to things are paired together does not mean that they exist in real life. He objects that you could pair existence with God but that would not necessarily mean God exist. He answers his own objection by explaining that because perfection is followed by existing, God must exist. He goes on to give a few other examples and repeats numerous times that God possesses all perfections and that because of this he exists. This is true even if all of the perfections are not known at that time. He explains that because he perceives it very clearly and distinctly he cannot but to accept it as the truth. The main assumption which Descartes argument relies on is the idea that God is perfect. He does not explain any proof for this relationship and uses it as his main point when presenting the argument. Descartes does not give any reference to prove or back up his statement. This assumption is controversial and it is difficult to say whether or not it is true. This assumption about God and perfection and also the idea of the existence of God are both matters of individual opinion. As a whole, Meditation five presents a well thought out and convincing argument. The style used by Descartes is unusual but makes for a strong delivery. The existence of God has been a debate for centuries and I think it is safe to say that it will remain in question for centuries to come.