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Domenic C. Scarcella's avatar

Yes, the proofs are trying to assert prior substance by way of process, which is a leap. Correct logic shows validity, not necessarily truth, because correct logic contains no guarantee that the starting point is right.

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Adam Haman's avatar

Precisely. I don’t blame Aquinas for his efforts, really. It’s at least a set of not-insane hypotheses for a man of his time to propose.

Maybe it’s “our” fault for taking the word “proof” to mean something more than “this logic works assuming our assumptions are valid”.

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Christopher Cook's avatar

All fair enough.

Still, I like logical reasoning. I think syllogisms help reveal truth. Or, at very least, they serve as a starting point for further inquiry. I know they don't work on everyone, but they are an important part of my process.

Indeed, it was a thought spurred by a surrebuttal to an objection to the Cosmological argument that moved me away from atheism. (It didn't make me a theist, but it did convince me that the universe has divine attributes.)

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Adam Haman's avatar

Oh heck yeah. I’m not throwing out logic!

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A F's avatar

I love everything about this.

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