SELF EVIDENT. THINKING & ARGUMENTS Mr A LAWS OF THOUGHT HOW WE USE REASON. It is self evident that man is a thinking being

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1 SELF EVIDENT THINKING & ARGUMENTS Mr A It is self evident that man is a thinking being We all think (this generally is not argued against, but if someone wants to try???????????????) There are laws that control our thinking: LAWS OF THOUGHT LAWS OF THOUGHT 1. Law of Identity: something is what it is (apple, dog, horse, etc.) A is A 2. Law of Non-Contradiction- Something cannot be itself (horse) and something contradictory (non-horse) at the same time and in the same respect. not both A and non-a at the same time and same respect 3. Law of Excluded Middle- Something is either itself (apple) or is non-self (pear) HOW WE USE REASON 1. We use Reason to form concepts, judgments and arguments 2. We use Reason as a test for meaning. Meaning is more basic than truth. If no meaning- then meaningless 3. We use Reason to interpret our experiences 4. We use Reason to construct a Worldview either A or non-a

2 WORDS CONCEPT What is a word? What does it do? A word expresses a concept What is a concept? In a Concept the mind grasps the essence of a thing ESSENCE MEANING AND TRUTH bliks are grue...true or False? What is essence? Essence is a set of qualities of a thing that distinguishes from all other things You must know what they MEAN to claim True or False Should your words have meaning? how consistent are we if we speak words without knowing their meaning?

3 JUDGMENT ARGUMENT CLINIC are we to make judgments? not about people but ideas and claims what is a judgment? A judgment is combining two concepts and making a claim of TRUE or False Marker is Red Cat is black Dogs are awesome ARGUMENT ARGUMENT argument vs fighting argument is giving a support for your claim fighting is pressing your point and... just contradicting not being humble lacking integrity Argument is taking 2 judgments and inferring a third judgment Mp - All men are Mortal mp - Mr A is a man Con: Mr A is mortal lacking honesty

4 AUTHORITY OF REASON AUTHORITY OF REASON 1. Reason is in all men, everywhere. Reason is natural. 2. Reason governs our thinking. 3. Reason also governs what exists. So, if something cannot be thought (no concept), than something cannot exists in reality There are no Square-Circles, no Uncaused Events 4. Reason is authoritative and self-attesting. 5. Reason cannot be questioned, but makes questioning possible. To give up Reason as the laws governing thought or to claim they are not authoritative is to give up what is most clear..it is to give up meaning. It is to go the way of Skepticism TRUTH WHAT IS FAITH? objective truth true regardless of one s view, experience, or feeling gender, the sun existing subjective truth truth that is personal favorite ice cream Hebrews 11:1 NIV: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ESV: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. KJV: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. dogs vs cats

5 WHAT IS FAITH? FAITH IS KNOWLEDGE confidence assurance substance this means what are the reasons for what you hope for Knowledge is justified, true belief evidence conviction this means what is the proof for things that are not seen Can t see (speaking of Faith in God, who is spirit not seen physically with the eyes) Justified- rationally true; you have undeniable, objective proof True- the belief is based on reality; how the world actually works Belief- persuaded to agree; hold it dear and meaningful to your life KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE What does it mean to say I know? knowledge is a justified, true, belief if you have rational justification, and if what you say is true, and if you believe it, then you have knowledge What should be expected if a person says that? if you know then is it clear to you? if it is clear to you then can you show it? therefore: if you know then you should be able to show it