But Jeff,
Anselm’s argument is not about self-evidence per se, it’s about conceivability, and in its second iteration, necessary being. I’m not aware of close analogues in Indian philosophy. The classical theistic arguments seem to mostly resemble the Western cosmological and design arguments.
There are some interesting developments in GaNgeza, of course, but I think still not along the lines of the ontological argument.
best
Matthew
On Sun, Jun 23, 2024 at 18:17, Jeffery Long via INDOLOGY <indology@list.indology.info> wrote: Dear Colleagues,
Forgive me if this question has already been raised at some point on this list.
Are any of you aware of arguments developed in Indian philosophical systems akin to the ontological arguments for the existence of God raised by St. Anselm? The closest thing I can think of is Śaṅkara’s argument that existence is self-evident.
With much gratitude in advance,
Jeff
Dr. Jeffery D. Long
Carl W. Zeigler Professor of Religion, Philosophy, & Asian Studies
School of Arts & Humanities
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA
https://etown.academia.edu/JefferyLong
Series Editor, Explorations in Indic Traditions: Ethical, Philosophical, and Theological
Lexington Books
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