The Use of Logic in Apologetics
(From the lecture notes on Apologetics)
ARTICLES
Dr. B
7/29/20262 min read
When we talk about apologetics and methods thereof, we generally want the simplest answer. Not every discussion requires the highest form of philosophical sophistication. We will always consider the argument as well as the person. Then we will engage them on their level. There is a sense of contextualization in apologetics. We would not answer the question of a child the same way we would deal with a member of the cults or with a university professor. We train to fight on the highest level with the understanding that we can and should come down to the level of the objector.
However, logic can and should be applied at all levels of engagement. In any argument, we are looking to see if it is valid. We should ask, "Is it sound?" Do the premises lead to the conclusion? At this point in time we are not seeking to prove that the conclusion is true or not true. Rather, we are just looking at the argument itself. In our class on logic, we said that if the premises are not true, then they cannot produce a correct answer.
The Assessment of an Argument
Seek first to understand.
We want to address the strong point of the argument.
1) Identify the main conclusion. We should be charitable and consider the argument without prejudiced.
2) Identify the premises or reasons for their conclusion.
3) Identify the structure of an argument. Sometimes a diagram or an outline can be helpful.
4) Are the premises relevant to the conclusion?
Loss of Logic
It seems to me we are facing a real challenge today with people who are not willing to think. And I would even say that there are large numbers of people who are not able to think. The tendency today is to be personal, emotional, defensive, and irrational. This is to say nothing of the victim mentality that plagues many. There are some people who seem to have lost or never developed the ability to think. They will ignore evidence, logic, and history to maintain their preferences. For them, truth is what they prefer, not what is real. Reality is self-defined, fluid, and varied. One of the greatest challenges in the coming years might very well be the recovery of rational thought and even seeing the need to be reasonable. In such cases, the best we can do is to show them their inconsistencies and their need for sound reasoning.