Author: Boethius
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Thinking Logically
A Deductive Argument is an argument where (if valid) the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises; it moves from general to particular. Premises are the claims, principles, reasons, or alleged facts cited in support of the conclusion. A Deductive Argument is sound when it is valid and all its premises are true. Deductive reasoning, when…
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Holy Cross Day
“Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the Cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy…
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For the Peace of the World
“Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is…
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Logic and Logos
Logic is a way to think so we can come to correct conclusions by understanding implications and the mistakes people often make in thinking. Logic is also the study of the methods and principles used to distinguish good (correct) from bad (incorrect) reasoning. For example, there are three principles of logic. (A is A) (A…
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Philosophy of Art and Aesthetics
In his book Beauty: A Very Short Introduction, Roger Scruton notes at the beginning of the eighteenth century, the philosophy of art became aware of itself and named itself ‘aesthetics’ after the Greek term aisthesis for sensation. This was in keeping with a much older view that beauty is the object of a sensory delight…
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Hebraic and Hellenistic Philosophy
In his book The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture, Yoram Hazony invites readers to think beyond the reason-revelation dichotomy. Whereas the reason-revelation dichotomy may succeed in encapsulating the uniqueness of the New Testament, Hazony argues it is more difficult to make this distinction when applying the dichotomy to the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). This is because…
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Reason and Revelation
Philosophical reasoning is an essential tool used by theologians to develop and explain coherent theological concepts, principles, and doctrines. The classical tradition of philosophy remains the primary dialogue partner with theology in the domain of catechetics. And in the encyclical Fides et Ratio by John Paul II, faith and reason are like two wings on…
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Theism and Theodicy
To think about theism and theodicy is the equivalent of pondering God and the problem of evil. Theism is typically synonymous with belief in one God, as in monotheism. (The three major monotheistic religions are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.) More specifically, theism refers to belief in a personal-creator God who is both active in the…
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Philosophers and Theologians
From the Greek philosopher Plato, we have the Platonist tradition. From the Greek philosopher Aristotle, we have the Aristotelian tradition. The Christian philosopher-theologian Augustine drew from the works of Plato and Neoplatonism when writing his own works like Confessions and City of God. On the other hand, the Christian philosopher-theologian Thomas Aquinas drew from the…
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Apologetics and Catechesis – Part 2
As I stated earlier in Part 1, we are commissioned to make disciples of all nations and teach them what Jesus taught his disciples (Matthew 28:19 – 20), while simultaneously being prepared to make a reasonable defense to anyone regarding our own hope in Jesus (1 Peter 3:15). Whereas apologetics involves a defense of the…