Frequent ESN contributor and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA Graduate & Faculty Ministries Staff Mark Hansard explores John Locke’s ideas in Part 4 of his series on faith and reason. As you may remember, Part 1 took a brief look at a Scriptural basis for using reason and logic, Part 2 discussed St. Augustine’s ideas about faith and reason, and Part 3 engaged with the thought of Aquinas. If you’re looking for Advent content this week, check out our Resources for Advent post from last week, and plan to visit Mark’s post Preparing for Epiphany after Christmas. [Read more…] about Faith and Reason Part 4: Locke
propositional logic
Jim Sire addresses: “Is there still a place for propositional logic in apologetics or worldview studies?”
Last week, the Emerging Scholars Network began a James W. Sire Worldview Question-and-Answer series with Is Atheism a Worldview? As I have considered the development of Sire’s thought on worldview, I continue to be struck by the importance of life story, see Jim Sire: Excerpt from “Rim of the Sandhills“.
Question 2:
“Is there still a place for propositional logic in apologetics or worldview studies?” — John
James W. Sire’s response:
“Of course, there is. Postmodernism, however you define it, is filled with propositions which are either true or false or confused. Only careful logical thinking will get us close to an understanding of what “postmodernism” itself is. Any claim made by any worldview requires rational thinking to understand let alone to determine if it is worthy of belief. The principle of non-contradiction is assumed by every coherent proposition.
Let’s take these two propositions; the second explains the first: “There is no substantial self; human beings make themselves who they are by the languages they construct about themselves” (definitional point No. 5 in my chapter on postmodernism in The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog 5th edition, p. 226). Whatever this proposition means requires rational thought involving the principle of non-contradiction to understand. And even more rational thought to determine if it is true, false, or confused. [Read more…] about Jim Sire addresses: “Is there still a place for propositional logic in apologetics or worldview studies?”