Ontological proof and platonism: Semyon Frank, Alexander Koyre, and Paul Tillich

<jats:p>The article compares the interpretations of the ontological argument by S.L. Frank, A. Koyré and P. Tillich. All of these interpretations are related to the understanding of the argument within the context of the Christian Platonist tradition. The emergence of this interpretation is associated with the rejection of the point of view of the “Hellenization of Christianity” and the development of a tendency towards a close connection between Christian theology and Platonism. The article suggests that the development of this trend is linked to the attitude toward Plato in German classical philosophy. At the beginning of the article, the Platonic idea of striving for the Good and the Neoplatonic idea of comprehending God through inner contemplation are briefl y described. Frank, Koyré, and Tillich’s understanding of the ontological argument, based on Platonism, elevates the argument to a way of justifying knowledge through the mystical knowledge of God. In the works of Franck and Koyré, Platonism is seen as the foundation of Christian theology in the West and East, and the ontological argument is traced back to Plato and Augustine. For Frank, the ontological argument signifi es an ontological connection with God. For Tillich, the ontological argument is linked to the fi nite being’s questioning of the Infi nite and is conditioned by the possibility of directly experiencing God. Koyré off ered a purely historical account of the ontological argument as proof of God’s existence from the inner life of man. At the end of the article, distinctions are drawn between the three positions described. The primary diff erence between Frank’s and Tillich’s positions lies in their approach to man’s existence in this world and the extent to which man’s mystical connection with God is preserved. Koyré’s position is closer to Frank’s, as both draw closer together the Neoplatonic and Christian understandings of man. The ontological proof thus testifi es to similar solutions in Russian and German religious philosophy.</jats:p>