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Circular Arguments/logic/reasoning


phatcatholic

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phatpham,

first off, i hate using abbreviations like "Prot" and "RC." i think they're practically derrogatory, but i had no choice considering the minimal space alotted for a description of the topic.

anyway, i always read about how Protestant reasoning--and especially considering the question of authority (by what authority are your beliefs grounded?)--is "circular" whereas Catholic reasoning somehow is not. this used to make sense to me, but for some reason it has recently become too abstract for me to firmly grasp.

if anyone could make this more concrete--maybe by presenting an example of a development of logic--then that would be a tremendous help to me and i think to the group as well.

pax christi,

Phatty McPhatterson

Edited by phatcatholic
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Protestant:

Bible has authority > based on Bible = circular

Catholic:

Bible has authority > based on the Church > based on history = not circular

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Seatbelt Blue

"Why do you believe the bible is the word of God?"

"Because it says so right there in 1 Timothy!"

"Why do you believe 1 Timothy?"

"Because it's in the bible!"

"Why do you believe the bible is the word of God?"

"Because it says so right there in 1 Timothy!"

"Why do you believe 1 Timothy?"

"Because it's in the bible!"

"Why do you believe the bible is the word of God?"

"Because it says so right there in 1 Timothy!"

"Why do you believe 1 Timothy?"

"Because it's in the bible!"

"Why do you believe the bible is the word of God?"

"Because it says so right there in 1 Timothy!"

"Why do you believe 1 Timothy?"

"Because it's in the bible!"

"Why do you believe the bible is the word of God?"

"Because it says so right there in 1 Timothy!"

"Why do you believe 1 Timothy?"

"Because it's in the bible!"

"Why do you believe the bible is the word of God?"

"Because it says so right there in 1 Timothy!"

"Why do you believe 1 Timothy?"

"Because it's in the bible!"

"Why do you believe the bible is the word of God?"

"Because it says so right there in 1 Timothy!"

"Why do you believe 1 Timothy?"

"Because it's in the bible!"

ad nauseum

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"Why do you believe the bible is the word of God?"

"Because it says so right there in 1 Timothy!"

"Why do you believe 1 Timothy?"

"Because it's in the bible!"

"Why is it in the bible?"

............... awkward silence. B)

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Patience guys! :D

It can take a little while for the light to go on about the fact that the church and therefore Christian teaching existed before the bible was written..... :rolleyes:

.......and then there's the little matter of undoing the work of Luther..... :angry:

....but we get there in the end....... :D

...............hopefully! :unsure:

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Catholics use a SPIRAL argument, not circular. It actually makes sense.

I heard of that, but I forgot where. Do they explain that on Catholic.com?

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