Reflections on Biblical and
Christian Philosophy

There Are Some Absolutes!

These statements are a work in progress.  I reserve the right to change them over time.  These are presented apart from Scripture, although all communication is ultimately dependent upon the written Word of God.

1. The Law of Contradiction or Non-contradiction.  The law of non-contradiction means that two antithetical propositions cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense.

2. At least one absolute exists.  This proposition is the opposite of "There are no absolutes."  For this latter statement to be true, it has to be an absolute itself.  So, if the proposition denies itself, the only other option is that "There is at least one absolute."  Of course, this statement does not tell us what that absolute is!  But, do you not think that this truth is great encouragement for the human quest?  Some absolute, some where exists.  One just has to find it!

Corollary.  "All knowledge is relative."  This statement is an absolute in itself, and therefore self-refuting.

3.  Truth exists.  The reasoning is the same here as in #2.  It is the opposite of "There is no truth," or "There is not such thing as truth."  The proposition would deny itself, if true.  Thus, "Truth exists."  Again, this truth does not tell us what that truth is, only that our quest to seek it has at least a possible happy result.

4.  Certainty exists.  Again, the same reasoning is present as in #2,3.  But this proposition addresses a different point in philosophical speculation.  It is the basis of all questions or pursuits of epistemology--to know with confidence, assurance, and trust that is a place of rest for the human mind.  Likewise, what that "certainty" is, is not answered by this statement.  But, it tells us that the pursuit is worthwhile.

5.  Language communicates.  While language communicates imperfectly, nevertheless it communicates.  When the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board speaks, millions of people around the world take serious financial action because he has communicated knowledge to them and they understand.

Corollary.  Human thought sufficiently corresponds to Reality to at least partially understand it.  Thus, one human mind can communicate with another human mind.

6.  There are only three ways to determine ethics: total individualism, majority vote, or yield to an authority.

Corollary.  All law is based upon ethics.

__.  Tentative - no person knows everything.  At least one person knows everything.

See Thales to Dewey, page 220