Two fundamental truths about humankind are existence and reality. To be real is to exist and to exist is to be real. Reality is, regardless of our knowledge of it. For example, gravity exists; it is part of reality. Even if Sir Isaac Newton had never defined gravity and we had no knowledge of its existence, it would not stop existing. Reality, like gravity, is something that exists no matter what we think: reality is independent of our minds. [Ibid, p.25]

The opposite of reality is illusion. For someone to say that everything is an illusion is delusional. Why? Because in order to know something is an illusion is to know something of reality. How else would someone know an illusion if he had never known reality? There must be reality to affect contrast. One can not know illusion without knowing reality. When one applies his thoughts to nature of reality and then makes truth claims about what he discovers, his truth claims will either be logical or illogical (nonsense). For that reason, initial question to ask person who thinks that logic does not apply to reality is, “What do you assume to be true about logic and reality?” Logic is unavoidable. [Ibid, p. 26]

The law of noncontradiction is universal. Remember words of Mortimer J. Adler? “…The principles of logic are neither Western nor Eastern, but universal.” Anyone who visits Far East will note that computers operate in same manner as they do in West. The logic used in places like India is identical to logic used in North America, because logic is universal in nature, and laws of logic are universal. Food for though, wouldn’t you agree?

(The second in a series entitled, “Start here…first principles”)

Keep faith. Stay course. Jesus is coming soon…He’s only logical solution. Pastor T.

Have you ever heard term, pluralism? A pluralist would insist, for example, that Christians view reality one way, whereas Hindus view same reality in a different manner, and conclude that both views are true. But, both views can’t be accurate. Can a Christian affirmation (evil is real) and an opposing Hindu denial (evil is an illusion) both be right? If one view of evil is true, other must necessarily be false; both claims about evil cannot be true and both cannot be false. [Ibid, p. 22]

When someone acknowledges that an intolerant position is opposite of tolerant one, he thereby establishes credibility of first principle of all knowledge, law of noncontradiction. All thinking (whether about physics or about metaphysics) is alike to extent that it is governed by this foundational first principle of logic—the law of noncontradiction. [Ibid, p. 23]

If someone were to say, “There is no such thing as truth, and law of noncontradiction is meaningless,” he has done two things. First, he has assumed that his view is true as opposed to false, and thus he uses law of noncontradiction. Second, he has violated law of noncontradiction by suggesting that there is no such thing as truth while at same time and in same sense insisting that there is such a thing as truth—the truth of his own view. By doing so, he automatically validates law of noncontradiction. [Ibid, p. 24]

Three basic beliefs must be assumed to be true for every worldview. First, I really do exist. Second, to think about my existence is to employ reason. Third, my existence and logic can not violate law of noncontradiciton. Stay tuned. This gets clearer.

(This is part one in a series of articles entitled, “Start here…first principles”)

Keep faith. Stay course. Jesus is coming soon and very soon.

Pastor T.