2. Chapter 1.2 The Process of Thinking and the Rules Involved

3. One of the most important questions that we must answer first is: One of the most important questions that we must answer first is: Where do we begin to search for Reliable Knowledge? For Truth. Where do we begin to search for Reliable Knowledge? For Truth. Is the Bible a Reliable source of Is the Bible a Reliable source of knowledge? knowledge? Does the God of the Bible exist? Do gods exist? Does the Super-Natural Exist?

4. THE SUPERNATURAL DOES NOT EXIST

5. The Natural World is all that Exists THE SUPERNATURAL DOES NOT EXIST

6. The 4 Pillars/Rules Pillar/Rule # 1:. The Natural World is all that exists. Since the Super-Natural does not exist, all that does exist has to be product of the Natural World.

7. The Natural World is all that Exists The Cosmos Consists only of Natural Elements THE SUPERNATURAL DOES NOT EXIST

8. The 4 Pillars/Rules Pillar/Rule # 2 : Pillar/Rule # 2 : The Cosmos consists of only Natural elements. The Cosmos consists of only Natural elements. Since the Super-Natural does not exist, all elements have to be Natural. There cannot exist gods, demons, angels, etc.. that are distinct from the natural world. Since the Super-Natural does not exist, all elements have to be Natural. There cannot exist gods, demons, angels, etc.. that are distinct from the natural world.

9. The Natural World is all that Exists The Cosmos Consists only of Natural Elements The Cosmos Functions according to Natural Processes THE SUPERNATURAL DOES NOT EXIST

10. The 4 Pillars/Rules Pillar/Rule # 3 : Pillar/Rule # 3 : The Cosmos functions according to Natural processes. The Cosmos functions according to Natural processes. Since the Super-Natural does not exist, all processes have to be Natural. There can be no miracles, all has to be explained by Natural processes. Since the Super-Natural does not exist, all processes have to be Natural. There can be no miracles, all has to be explained by Natural processes.

11. The Natural World is all that Exists The Cosmos Consists only of Natural Elements The Cosmos Functions according to Natural Processes The Super- Natural Does Not Exist THE SUPERNATURAL DOES NOT EXIST

12. The 4 Pillars/Rules Pillar/Rule # 4 : Pillar/Rule # 4 : Conclusion: The Super-Natural Does Not Exist. Conclusion: The Super-Natural Does Not Exist. This is the obvious conclusion of a thinking process built on the assumed foundation that the Super-Natural does not exist. This is the obvious conclusion of a thinking process built on the assumed foundation that the Super-Natural does not exist.

13. Greek Natural Philosophy The Natural World is all that Exists The Cosmos Consists only of Natural Elements The Cosmos Functions according to Natural Processes The Super- Natural Does Not Exist THE SUPERNATURAL DOES NOT EXIST

14. Greek Natural Philosophy Greek: Is the culture that implemented such a foundation and rules to their thinking processes. Greek: Is the culture that implemented such a foundation and rules to their thinking processes. Natural: Naturalism was the base used to formulate all future doctrines. Natural: Naturalism was the base used to formulate all future doctrines. Philosophy: A system of thinking that provides a framework of rules for formulating doctrines and ethics. Philosophy: A system of thinking that provides a framework of rules for formulating doctrines and ethics.

15. The History of Philosophy By Bryan Magee: “The first Greek philosophers were making a break in tradition by trying to understand the world by the use of human reason alone, without any appealing to religion, or revelation, or authority, or tradition.” “The first Greek philosophers were making a break in tradition by trying to understand the world by the use of human reason alone, without any appealing to religion, or revelation, or authority, or tradition.”

16. Empiricism Greek Natural Philosophy The Natural World is all that Exists The Cosmos Consists only of Natural Elements The Cosmos Functions according to Natural Processes The Super- Natural Does Not Exist THE SUPERNATURAL DOES NOT EXIST

17. Empiricism… Empiricism… Reliable knowledge is best attained by applying the underlying rules to what we can experience through the five senses. If we can submit it to an experiment then that is the best method for attaining Reliable Knowledge. Reliable knowledge is best attained by applying the underlying rules to what we can experience through the five senses. If we can submit it to an experiment then that is the best method for attaining Reliable Knowledge.

18. Empiricism Rationalism Greek Natural Philosophy The Natural World is all that Exists The Cosmos Consists only of Natural Elements The Cosmos Functions according to Natural Processes The Super- Natural Does Not Exist THE SUPERNATURAL DOES NOT EXIST

19. Rationalism… Rationalism… This method relies not upon experience, but upon Logic and Reason to attain Reliable Knowledge. Based on the underlying Rules for thinking, what would be Logical and Reasonable to believe? This method relies not upon experience, but upon Logic and Reason to attain Reliable Knowledge. Based on the underlying Rules for thinking, what would be Logical and Reasonable to believe?

20. Empiricism Rationalism Greek Natural Philosophy The Natural World is all that Exists The Cosmos Consists only of Natural Elements The Cosmos Functions according to Natural Processes The Super- Natural Does Not Exist THE SUPERNATURAL DOES NOT EXIST Skepticism

21. Skepticism… Skepticism… This third method is one that Doubts that man can arrive at Reliable Knowledge, this method would “Suspend Judgment” for lack of conclusive information. This third method is one that Doubts that man can arrive at Reliable Knowledge, this method would “Suspend Judgment” for lack of conclusive information.

22. The Three Methods of attaining Reliable Knowledge Included here… The Three Methods of attaining Reliable Knowledge Included here… a. Empiricism … Empiricist Philosopher a. Empiricism … Empiricist Philosopher b. Rationalism … Rationalist Philosopher b. Rationalism … Rationalist Philosopher c. Skepticism … Skeptic Philosopher c. Skepticism … Skeptic Philosopher …are just a few among several methods employed to seek Reliable Knowledge (Epistemologies). Philosophers can be identified by the method they employ. …are just a few among several methods employed to seek Reliable Knowledge (Epistemologies). Philosophers can be identified by the method they employ.

23. 8 Principle Epistemologies: 1. Empiricism 1. Empiricism 2. Rationalism 2. Rationalism 3. Skepticism 3. Skepticism 4. Agnosticism 4. Agnosticism 5. Subjectivism 5. Subjectivism 6. Mysticism 6. Mysticism 7. Relativism 7. Relativism 8. Revelation 8. Revelation a. Specific (Today the Bible) a. Specific (Today the Bible) b. General (Creation) b. General (Creation)