Logical Laws

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“What is the source of math and logic? The existence of this remarkably fine-tuned universe aside, how is it that we have these ‘languages of reality’ to so elegantly describe and interact with it.” - David F. Coppedge, “The World’s Greatest Creation Scientists”


“The greatest scientists have been struck by how strange this is. There is no logical necessity for a universe that obeys rules, let alone one that abides by the rules of mathematics. This astonishment springs from the recognition that the universe doesn’t have to behave this way. It is easy to imagine a universe in which conditions change unpredictably from instant to instant, or even a universe in which things pop in and out of existence.” – Dinesh D/Souza, What’s So Great About Christianity? (Regnery Publishing, Inc., 2007, Chapter 11).
One aspect of thinking is our ability to determine the internal consistency of ideas. We need to be able to know whether our thinking method itself is accurate. This is the realm of formal logic.

The laws of logic shape the way we think. They are an open window to the Christian God’s world.

Take one for instance: the law of non-contradiction.

It says that something can not be both A and Non-A at the same time, in the same relationship, and in the same sense. This law cannot be denied. To deny it is to affirm it. If you say, “The law of non-contradiction does not apply,” you could mean, “The law of non-contradiction does indeed apply.” The meanings would be the same.

This law of logic, which leads us to all the others, is undeniable because to question it is to invoke it. That is the only way we can think.

We do not observe the laws of logic occurring in nature. They are not open for scientific exploration and study. We assume that logic’s laws work in order to evaluate scientific evidence. Using science to prove that logic works would be viciously circular.

They are not evolutionary in origin, either. Evolutionary processes governed by natural selection would not necessarily lead to the truth about our world. Natural selection would only encourage behavior that would lead to survival. We could not be certain our beliefs about the world were true, only that they help us continue to live in a given situation.

Further, genetics change from person to person. Therefore, the laws of logic would change from one person to the next.

A Christian can account for the laws of logic by stating that they come from God. God has originated the laws of logic because He thinks logically. The laws of logic are a reflection of God’s mind. They do not change because the God whose thinking they reflect does not change.
I do not find an adequate explanation for logic and rational thought outside God. Literally, my thinking drives me toward God’s existence.

Comments

Chris said…
Hi J. K.
Good observations. Logic and rationality are brute facts that are best explained by a theistic worldview. And, as you point out, science depends on these to do what it does. In that light, it's amazing that so many people want to pit science against religion or God.
January 25, 2010
Anonymous said…
"A Christian can account for the laws of logic by stating that they come from God. "

This is called working backwards from the conclusion that you want to achieve. You can use it to prove Bob the potato head god. or any other figment of your imagination.
January 27, 2010
J. K. Jones said…
Anonymous,

Why do you say that? What's your reasoning?

JK
January 27, 2010
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