The wrong starting point
Jul 20th, 2008 by Randy Toman
“There is no word more meaningless nor more eagerly used by philosophers than the word reason. Once philosophers define the word, however, the irreconcilable disagreement begins.”
Dr. John Robbins “Without a Prayer” 1997 pg. 13
Philosophers and their Philosophies as Nietzsche said in nothing more then “— the love of his own wisdom.”
Nietzsche, “Beyond Good and Evil”.
Axioms, presuppositions, and assumptions all can be used interchangeable in are discussion of what reason, reasonable, means. If reason is the source of knowledge it is necessary that it speak with one voice. So the question becomes; what is reasonable? What do we mean to say; we have reasoned through something?
Harry Reed and 90% of the Democrats will tell you there, no drill position is a reasonable position, while the 90% of the Republican will also tell you their position is the reasonable position both saying they have the correct analysis. (Reasoning) Thereby saying we must be correct in our position.
My point is not to make you choose one of the two positions but to consider how much of a mess we have within the social fabric. Reason is to be the means of reconciling our disagreements but as it is being used it is turning out to be a major part of the problem. Why because reasonable people differ on what reason is. Let me say in an over simplified statement of explanation; we have one group using the word of God (the Bible) and then reasoning. And in the other group they are using reason as god with no fixed point of authority. (No god)
As society crumbles and we get further from the word of God we have reason and reasonable men attempting to reason, while the fact of the matter is each fixed point of reference becomes less and less fixed and without the authority of God and the proper use of reasoning. Now you may not agree with what I just said but that is not important for we have an even greater issue that has surfaced. Reasoning together is totally without cause if one or both sides are going to Hell and they have not found salvation for their souls. Now you may be thinking; what in the H— is this nut case trying to say. I am saying salvation for the soul is the more important problem. Few think of their soul and fewer think of other people’s souls, so why think of saving souls, and it certainly can’t be important issue for now and really has nothing to do with solving today’s problems. And most think it is reasonable to think they can reason through the (Drill—Not to drill) issue and solve the issue and maybe so but reason will not solve the other problem, which is far more important and unless we understand the starting point of reason, we will not have the one voice of understanding nor solve the pressing problems of the day. But who am I to say someone is reasoning from a wrong starting point.
Isaiah 1:18 King James Bible
“Come now, and let us reason together…”
Isaiah 1:19,20 King James Bible
19/ “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.”
20/ “But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
Psalm 14:4 King James Bible
“Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? Who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord?”