Questions on Reasoning...

'There is almost nothing right or wrong which does not alter with a change in climate. A shift of three degrees of latitude is enough to overthrow jurisprudence. One's location on the meridian decides the truth, that or a change in territorial possession. Fundamental laws alter. What is right changes with the times. Strange jutice that is bounded by a river or mountain! The truth on this side of the Pyrenees, error on the other.' Blaise Pascal, Pensées)

Our practical reasoning, or reasoning for that matter, is dependent upon principles. For example, we do not act upon the impulse of killing for we reason that life, in principle, is valuable. Reason cannot operate in vacuo, it needs to be rooted in principles. One's practical reasoning would be in a 'stagnant' state of inaction if it be without principles. Our principles in turn are derived from, inter alia, religious, moral and cultural factors. Surely, there would be diversity of principles here. There would surely be principles that would carry less moral weight than others. There could even be contradictory principles. How then would we judge between these principles? How then do we achieve reconciliation?

If all these principles are subjective and there is no Truth in these principles per se, then I can see no reason (unless there is a logical error) in criticising the reasoning of those of whom we do not agree with. But why then do we reject the reasoning of a terrorist in his efforts to bomb up a building? If all principles are subjective principles, why do we intuitively reject the reasoning of a suicide bomber? Perhaps, this may imply that there are such things as objective principles. Granted, it would be controversial as to what those principles are, but this does not mean that there is no objectivity in it.

As Christians we have found this objectivity, and He is not an abstract, but a person. His name is Jesus Christ; the Logos, the Reason, the Principle that upholds the universe. Only in Him (consciously or subconsciously) can we distinguish good reasoning from bad reasoning. He is the ultimate reference point. And in Him should our reason rest, in Him should we put our trust.