chapter 1.2 the process of thinking and the rules involved

Chapter 1.2Chapter 1.2

The Process of Thinking and the Rules The Process of Thinking and the Rules InvolvedInvolved

One of the most important questions that One of the most important questions that we must answer first is:we must answer first is:

Where do we begin to search for Reliable Where do we begin to search for Reliable Knowledge? For Truth.Knowledge? For Truth.

Is the Bible a Reliable source of Is the Bible a Reliable source of

knowledge?knowledge?

Does the God of the Bible exist?Does the God of the Bible exist?

Do gods exist?Do gods exist?

Does the Super-Natural Exist?Does the Super-Natural Exist?

THE SUPERNATURAL DOES NOT EXIST

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The 4 Pillars/Rules The 4 Pillars/Rules

Pillar/Rule # 1: The Natural World is all that exists..

Since the Super-Natural does not exist, all that does exist has to be product of the Natural World.

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Pillar/Rule # 2 :Pillar/Rule # 2 :

The Cosmos consists of only Natural The Cosmos consists of only Natural elements.elements.

Since the Super-Natural does not exist, all Since the Super-Natural does not exist, all elements have to be Natural. There cannot elements have to be Natural. There cannot exist gods, demons, angels, etc.. that are exist gods, demons, angels, etc.. that are distinct from the natural world.distinct from the natural world.

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Pillar/Rule # 3 :Pillar/Rule # 3 :

The Cosmos functions according to The Cosmos functions according to Natural processes.Natural processes.

Since the Super-Natural does not exist, all Since the Super-Natural does not exist, all processes have to be Natural. There can processes have to be Natural. There can be no miracles, all has to be explained by be no miracles, all has to be explained by Natural processes.Natural processes.

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Pillar/Rule # 4 : Pillar/Rule # 4 : Conclusion: The Super-Natural Does Conclusion: The Super-Natural Does

Not Exist.Not Exist.

This is the obvious conclusion of a This is the obvious conclusion of a thinking process built on the assumed thinking process built on the assumed foundation that the Super-Natural does not foundation that the Super-Natural does not exist. exist.

Greek Natural Philosophy

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Greek Natural PhilosophyGreek Natural Philosophy

Greek: Is the culture that implemented Greek: Is the culture that implemented such a foundation and rules to their such a foundation and rules to their thinking processes.thinking processes.

Natural: Naturalism was the base used to Natural: Naturalism was the base used to formulate all future doctrines.formulate all future doctrines.

Philosophy: A system of thinking that Philosophy: A system of thinking that provides a framework of rules for provides a framework of rules for formulating doctrines and ethics.formulating doctrines and ethics.

The History of PhilosophyThe History of Philosophy

By Bryan Magee:By Bryan Magee:

““The first Greek philosophers were making The first Greek philosophers were making a break in tradition by trying to a break in tradition by trying to understand the world by the use of human understand the world by the use of human reason alone, without any appealing to reason alone, without any appealing to religion, or revelation, or authority, or religion, or revelation, or authority, or tradition.”tradition.”

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Empiricism…Empiricism…

Reliable knowledge is best attained by Reliable knowledge is best attained by applying the underlying rules to what we applying the underlying rules to what we can experience through the five senses. If can experience through the five senses. If we can submit it to an experiment then we can submit it to an experiment then that is the best method for attaining that is the best method for attaining Reliable Knowledge.Reliable Knowledge.

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Rationalism…Rationalism…

This method relies not upon This method relies not upon experience, but upon Logic and experience, but upon Logic and Reason to attain Reliable Knowledge. Reason to attain Reliable Knowledge. Based on the underlying Rules for Based on the underlying Rules for thinking, what would be Logical and thinking, what would be Logical and Reasonable to believe?Reasonable to believe?

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Skepticism…Skepticism…

This third method is one that Doubts This third method is one that Doubts that man can arrive at Reliable that man can arrive at Reliable Knowledge, this method would Knowledge, this method would “Suspend Judgment” for lack of “Suspend Judgment” for lack of conclusive information. conclusive information.

The Three Methods of attaining Reliable The Three Methods of attaining Reliable Knowledge Included here…Knowledge Included here…

a. Empiricism … Empiricist Philosophera. Empiricism … Empiricist Philosopher

b. Rationalism … Rationalist Philosopherb. Rationalism … Rationalist Philosopher

c. Skepticism … Skeptic Philosopherc. Skepticism … Skeptic Philosopher

… …are just a few among several methods are just a few among several methods employed to seek Reliable Knowledge employed to seek Reliable Knowledge (Epistemologies). Philosophers can be (Epistemologies). Philosophers can be identified by the method they employ.identified by the method they employ.

8 Principle Epistemologies:8 Principle Epistemologies: 1. Empiricism1. Empiricism 2. Rationalism2. Rationalism 3. Skepticism3. Skepticism 4. Agnosticism4. Agnosticism 5. Subjectivism5. Subjectivism 6. Mysticism6. Mysticism 7. Relativism7. Relativism 8. Revelation 8. Revelation a. Specific a. Specific (Today the Bible)(Today the Bible) b. General (Creation)b. General (Creation)

chapter 1.2 the process of thinking and the rules involved

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