Malcolm and Ontological Argument
Philosopher Norman Malcolm reformulated the Ontological Argument using Anselm's second form, emphasizing necessary existence. If necessary existence is coherent (not self-contradictory), and God is maximally great, then God must necessarily exist.
Real World
Mathematical truths like 2 + 2 = 4 are necessarily true in every conceivable scenario — Malcolm argued God's existence works the same way: either necessarily true or necessarily false, with no middle ground of mere contingency.
Exam Focus
Clearly distinguish Malcolm's focus on necessary existence from Anselm's first form — examiners reward awareness of the two distinct formulations.
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