Mike Watt
Theology
Reason Journal
Reason is the power to think in such a way that we proceed from what we know to what we do not yet know. Reason is the way that we humans think. Do to reason, we can tell what corresponds to reality and what does not. When used correctly from transferring the known to unknown, we can discover the truth. If not, then we often think irrationally causing the truth to not be served. Reason is based on using 2 or more premises to draw a logical conclusion.
The five common thinking errors are when we do not think rationally and therefore do not necessarily serve the truth. The first of the five thinking errors is non sequiturs. They occur when a does not logically follow the two premises used to prove it. Another error is false or vague premises which occur when the conclusion follows logically, but one of the premises is false or vague; therefore the truth is not served. The third of the errors is ad hominem where you attack a certain quality of the person instead of attacking their argument. Begging the question is when in trying to demonstrate that a point is true the point you give already assumes that your point is true. Finally, the last of the errors is a red herring in which a person losing the argument says something that is not the real point for the topic to distract or direct people’s attention away from the argument.
Morality is different than legality. Morality is the right ness or wrongness of an action. Law is based on morality, but some laws are morally wrong. Legality means whether something is permitted by law, regardless of whether it is moral or immoral. Slavery is an example of something that was not moral but was legal. Slavery was always immoral before it became illegal.
The terms Church and Magisterium have tow different meanings. The Catholic Church refers to all of God’s people. If you are a Catholic, then the words Catholic Church refer to yourself as well as others. Magisterium is one part of the Church and is the Church’s teaching authority. It is the authoritative and last interpreter of Scripture and Tradition with regard to morals and faith. The Magisterium is guided by the Holy Spirit.
Do I often fall victim to using the five common thinking errors? Yes, I think I commonly use red herrings in my arguments to avoid embarrassment. I also tend to beg the question in discussions about my religion. I have become aware of these and am trying to work on this and not do it anymore so I can think rationally.
