Gods logical nature?
- Thread starter the
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I'm going to try my hand at a slightly different question: "Do the laws of logic apply to god in the same way that they apply to humans."
To answer this question, we need to understand what logic is. But first let's take a look at 'reason'. A quick google search shows that the word 'reason' is a verb that means: to think, understand, and form judgements logically. Supposedly, one uses reason when ones judgements are formed logically. Here, logic is something like a cookbook recipe. It is a set of instructions that can help one to prepare and bake an argument. Reason, on the other hand, is the actual process of preparing and baking. I believe that this relationship is accurate; except I do not agree that this is real purpose of logic. Logic IS a set of instructions, but not instructions to prepare and bake an argument. Rather, it is a set of rules that one can use to derive true conclusions from true premises. Another way of thinking about this is to compare it to a road code. Road codes are rules that must be observed when driving on the road. The laws of logic are rules that must be observed when one wants to derive true conclusions from true premises.
We can now slightly change the original question "Do the laws of logic apply to god in the same way that they apply to humans" to "If God wants to derive true conclusions from true premises, does he have to follow the laws of logic". The answer is an obvious YES! The reason is because the word 'derive' literally means 'obtain using logic'. Which means that what we are really asking here is: "If god wants to obtain true conclusions using logic, does he have to use logic". This might seem like a cheap answer to you -- it certainly does to me -- but this is only because the question itself was not a good question.
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@wolly.green
I think your definition of logic's nature and role is spot on. I couldn't agree more, logic is a set of rules that must be stritcly adhered to in unpacking an argument lest we wind up falling prey to fallacious reasoning. It reminded me of your Dictionary thread, actually. See what I mean?
That being said, @the's question could have been understood in a different way: "Given God's essence, does he have to act logically at all times, i.e. always seek to derive true conclusions from true premises?" Put differently and in simpler terms, is it possible for God to act irrationally like a human can act irrationally.
Hi yes you are right. I did consider writing about this as well.
So you asked "is it possible for God to act irrationally like a human can act irrationally." The answer to me is obviously YES. I think I'm missing something because I don't quite see the controversy here?
Actually, I think the problem with the OP question is that it doesn't really provide a definition of what God is. So it's really up to anyone to provide their own definition and then answer the question according to their definition. To tackle your answer briefly: you say that obviously yes, God can act irrationally like a human can act rationally. But then what I feel like asking you is, what do you think makes God what He is? If he can be irrational, what differentiates Him essentially from humans? If we grant that God can act irrationally, would this now allow us to dispense with the idea of God altogether?
I mean - I do think it's possible to reconcile the idea of God with imperfection, but jesus (no pun intended) does it weaken my interest in Him!
Do WE maintain a logical path? Who are we to question God? What is "rational" to Him? There may be controversy in your head, but your worldly thoughts have to be put aside. "He that is in the flesh minds the things of the flesh, but he that is in the Spirit the things of the Spirit." Nobody would infer ill will toward God in the Spirit of God. My guess would be only outsiders.