Alvin Plantinga is a highly esteemed Christian philosopher who has made significant contributions to the philosophy of religion. One of his most important contributions is his modal ontological argument, which has been praised by atheist philosopher William Rowe for its careful development, forcefulness, and clarity.

In the video below, we will explore the key points of Plantinga's argument and provide visual aids to help you understand it better. By the end of this video, you will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to discuss this argument with others.

Plantinga's argument begins with the premise that there is a possible world in which maximal greatness is instantiated. Maximal greatness is defined as possessing all the great-making properties to their maximal degree, including omniscience, omnipotence, and moral perfection. The argument then proceeds to show that if a being is maximally great, it must have maximal excellence in every possible world. This means that if there is a being with maximal greatness, it must exist in every possible world, including our actual world.

The soundness of Plantinga's argument ultimately rests on whether one accepts the first premise that maximal greatness is possibly instantiated in some possible world. While some may reject this premise, Plantinga argues that it is rational to believe in the possibility of maximal greatness. Regardless of one's stance on the first premise, understanding Plantinga's argument is crucial for anyone interested in the philosophy of religion.