Symmetry lost: A modal ontological argument for atheism?

Abstract

The modal ontological argument for God's existence faces a symmetry problem: a seemingly equally plausible reverse modal ontological argument can be given for God's nonexistence. Here, we argue that there are significant asymmetries between the modal ontological argument and its reverse that render the latter more compelling than the former. Specifically, the latter requires a weaker logic than the former and, unlike the former, avoids the symmetry problem. We also explore to what extent these observations represent a new pathway to atheism.