Anselms Proslogion, “nichts” gegen Nishida und Heidegger

Abstract

Anselm's Proslogion, “nothing” against Nishida and Heidegger: What is greater, being or nothingness? Anselm proves the existence of God with the help of nihil: God as nothing greater than any finite being can think of. Anselm’s logical - and perhaps mystic - use of nothingness demands comparison with Heidegger’s negative ontology and its reception in Nishida’s Kyoto School. But doesn’t Zen Buddhist emptiness stand for divine presence being unspeakable?