Foundational Logic and Rational Thought

After much thought... I reasoned that a more thorough examination of thought and logic would be appropriate in that I purpose to challenge readers to develop, practice, and skillfully apply the tool of logical systematic thinking so as to better discern Truth from both general and special revelation* as revealed by God Himself. The necessity of such a tool cannot be denied as there are ever growing numbers of those who abuse the craft of logic and reason so as to indoctrinate the less intellectually inclined into ultra-dogmatic beliefs that undermine what is actually and simply revealed in Scripture, resulting in a damaging divisiveness within the Church.
[*God's general revelation consists of nature, human nature, and history; God's special revelation is His Written Word.]
...A premise (such as Creation, theistic reality, human existence, etc) can only be understood through rational thought that is grounded in Reality and Truth. Logic is what enables analytical and systematic thinking (a.k.a. reasoning), thus reinforcing rational thought and comprehension toward a true perception of reality. Therefore, logic is essential and necessary for all rational thought, for without logic, lines of thinking are thus irrational and illogical and contradict what is actual and/or what is possible. And since logic is essential and necessary for all rational thought, it follows that it is essential and necessary for all rational thought about God, hence what is theological.
...There are those who argue that epistemology (the theory of knowledge and how we know) subjects God and His Truth to human reason and certain variants of rationalism (such as agnosticism, which asserts that reality cannot be known). In fact, however, God is not subject to human reason, He is the reason for it, for He created humanity in His image. Thus, our thoughtful nature is a reflection of God's thoughtful nature. This simple parallel is meant to draw us toward greater understanding of our Creator through proper utilization of our God-given intellect.
...Yet there are those who would argue that logic (which enables reason) was a human invention birthed from the likes of Aristotle. Contrary to this reasoning, Aristotle discovered and expounded logic, he did not invent it. Likewise, Isaac Newton discovered and expounded the laws of physics, he did not invent or develop them. Both the laws of physics and the laws of thought exist to govern specific parameters while they also beckon humanity onto multiple paths of discovery that lead to the Truth and Reality of the One True God.
...A significant difference between these two sets of laws exists, however. The physical laws were set into place by God Himself so as to govern the physical universe, yet these laws can be superceded and/or suspended at any time by God through "miracles," as He is not bound by such. In like fashion, the realm beyond our physical existence is subject to an entirely different set of "laws." Hence, the laws of physics as we know them do not permeate all Reality.
...The laws of thought are another matter outright in that logical reasoning is not relative to only human existence, but to all Reality. Since God is a rationally thinking and immutable (unchanging) Being, it follows that logic and rational thought are foundational to Truth and Reality for such is rooted in the infinite Uncaused Nature of God. Thus, as stated earlier, foundational logic and rational thought are essential toward understanding Truth and Reality, primarily because logic and rational thought are simply a manifestation of God's infinite Character, as opposed to being a created ideal.
...Wisdom, of course, reveals a thin veil separating proper from improper wielding of rational thought, the latter leading one into reasoning oneself out of logical thinking thereby attempting to determine all Truth by illogical human reasoning. Whereas a proper rationally thinking Christian utilizes logical reasoning to discover already revealed Truth in accordance to God's general and special revelation. It is the attempts at determining* Truth that degenerate into humanist philosophy and the traditions and doctrines of men according to the traditions of the world, and not according to Christ (Colossians 2:8).
[*Determine in this context refers to an "authoritative conclusive decision after reasoning or observation."]
...So we now have a general understanding of the basic "laws of thought," and may thus agree that said "laws" are inescapable for all rational beings, regardless of worldview, since the principle of non-contradiction forbids even the possibility of another and/or multiple forms of logic that operate apart from the basic laws of thought discussed in this article. Meaning that if contradictory thought was indeed possible, then one could think that they were not thinking... which is actually impossible. Therefore, denying foundational logic and rational thought is actually unthinkable.

2 comments:

Ashley Sharp said...

I'll write something intelligent about what you wrote soon. But in the meantime, I want you to know that I think you are great. (Said with hums.)

Anonymous said...

I'm doing the same as Ash... I read some already and I'll read some later. It's getting me excited about my Logic class! I'll have to email you my notes again. In other news, all my grades are in. C or better in every class! I'm kinda proud. Thanks for all your encouragement this semester. I'm sure I'll see you soon! Keep writing ;)