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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When we compare two objects, we must implicitly rely on what?

2. Acquiring accidents is a process of ___________.

3. God has no ___________________.

4. What does this Word help to "express" or create?

5. We cannot even do what without His help?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Chapters 3 and 4 argue?

2. What does Chapter 15 argue?

3. How is God a substance and also transcends substance?

4. Why does Anselm say that only a fool would not believe in God?

5. How does Anselm explain that God creates from nothing but that everything, in a sense, already exists?

6. Can God, according to Anselm, create from nothing?

7. What does Chapter 3 of the Proslogium make?

8. How and why does God lack feelings of emotions? Of what else is he also incapable?

9. What does Anselm say in Chapter 1?

10. What does Anselm say about existence and the creation of beings?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

St. Anselm defines God as the being "than which nothing greater can be conceived."

Part 1) How does he support this definition? Could there be other, better, definitions of God? Why or why not?

Part 2) How does this definition support Anselm's other beliefs and claims?

Part 3) What is your own definition of God? How have you come to this definition? What might Anselm think of your definition? Why?

Essay Topic 2

In the Monologium, Anselm describes and derives God's other properties.

Part 1) What are these other properties? What does Anselm have to say about them? How are they connected to Anselm's beliefs and previously-discussed points?

Part 2) Why was deriving God's existence an important first property to derive? Was Anselm successful? Why or why not?

Part 3) What are two questions you would like to ask about Anselm's deriving of God's properties? How might he answer you? Use the text to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

In Cur Deus Homo, Anselm represents his argument in dialogue form.

Part 1) Describe this dialogue. Why might he choose to use dialogue form? Why has he not used it in his other writings?

Part 2) How effective is this dialogue? Explain. How does it support his other writings?

Part 3) What else, besides the dialogue form, is unique to this writing? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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