Faith and Reason And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us… -John 1:14 This is a great mystery… -Eph 5:32 The Holy Family with Painted Frame -Rembrandt

The intellect is a gift from God Faith has never conflicted with my reason in my experience. Faith has never conflicted with my reason in my experience. Reason may challenge my expectations and beliefs about God Reason may challenge my expectations and beliefs about God Reason is not the same as rationalization. Reason is not the same as rationalization. St. Augustine

One view of reason Reason consists of the use of logic to determine what is true. Reason consists of the use of logic to determine what is true. Example Example –A car is an automobile –An automobile has 4 wheels –Therefore a car has 4 wheels Mr. Spock

Knowledge built by logic Statements are true if they can be reduced to logically correct statements Statements are true if they can be reduced to logically correct statements Can we reduce moral truths, religious truths, philosophical arguments, scientific laws to logical certainty to accept them as true? Can we reduce moral truths, religious truths, philosophical arguments, scientific laws to logical certainty to accept them as true? In this framework, all knowledge is derived from an axiomatic foundation In this framework, all knowledge is derived from an axiomatic foundation The tower of Babel

Axioms An axiom is a statement taken without proof. An axiom is a statement taken without proof. Mathematical systems require a set of axioms: laws of operation. Mathematical systems require a set of axioms: laws of operation. All philosophical systems which say anything must contain axioms. All philosophical systems which say anything must contain axioms. Are axioms true? Are axioms true? –(case of non-Euclidean geometry) Circle Limit IV MC Escher

Logic alone leads to a paradox Attempting to show that a system of axioms is consistent leads to paradoxes. Attempting to show that a system of axioms is consistent leads to paradoxes. Consider the statement “This statement is false.” Is that a true statement or a false one? Consider the statement “This statement is false.” Is that a true statement or a false one? Godel proved that any axiomatic system leads to such paradoxical statements. Godel proved that any axiomatic system leads to such paradoxical statements. They are self-referential. They are self-referential. Hands Drawing Hands MC Escher

Reliable Truth “… the problem of gravitation converted me into a believing rationalist, that is, into someone who searches for the only reliable source of Truth in mathematical simplicity.” - Albert Einstein “… the problem of gravitation converted me into a believing rationalist, that is, into someone who searches for the only reliable source of Truth in mathematical simplicity.” - Albert Einstein But… rational truth is unreliable. Knowledge of this world will pass away and all that will remain will be Faith, Hope and Love. But… rational truth is unreliable. Knowledge of this world will pass away and all that will remain will be Faith, Hope and Love. “Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing …. if knowledge it will be brought to nothing… At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. “ -1 Cor. 12:8-13 “Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing …. if knowledge it will be brought to nothing… At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. “ -1 Cor. 12:8-13 The only reliable source of Truth is Love The only reliable source of Truth is Love –And this is known only by Faith. Albert Einstein St. Paul

Another view of reason We need not ground all truth in logic. We can rely on our sensory data as valid: You are here in this room… We need not ground all truth in logic. We can rely on our sensory data as valid: You are here in this room… The truth is that which conforms to empirical scientific laws. The truth is that which conforms to empirical scientific laws.

Newton’s Rule In experimental philosophy, any propositions gathered by induction from phenomena shall be held to be true either accurately or to the best available approximation – notwithstanding any contrary hypotheses, until other phenomena occur by which they may either be made more accurate or liable to exceptions. - Newton In experimental philosophy, any propositions gathered by induction from phenomena shall be held to be true either accurately or to the best available approximation – notwithstanding any contrary hypotheses, until other phenomena occur by which they may either be made more accurate or liable to exceptions. - Newton Science is not truth itself but a belief “held to be true”. Science withholds judgment of truth. The scientist is not really personally involved in the Truth. He is a distant observer of the facts of nature. Isaac Newton

Science involves the scientist Scientific experiments are performed by a human person who can affect the outcome of his or her experiments. Scientific experiments are performed by a human person who can affect the outcome of his or her experiments. Because of this the scientist must understand himself to truly understand his experiment. Because of this the scientist must understand himself to truly understand his experiment. But self cannot know the self in isolation - this is self-referential. But self cannot know the self in isolation - this is self-referential. I think – but who am I who thinks “I think” I think – but who am I who thinks “I think” –an endless loop… Cartoon - Charles Addams

The limitations of human reason Reason as logic does not lead to reliable truth - the consistency of an axiomatic system is unprovable. Reason as logic does not lead to reliable truth - the consistency of an axiomatic system is unprovable. Scientific empiricism is unreliable Scientific empiricism is unreliable –scientific “truths” are not Truth –the scientist must understand to himself

Postmodernism? Relying on our intellect or senses we reach the state of postmodernism – a realization that human reason is insufficient to understand the complexity of existence. Relying on our intellect or senses we reach the state of postmodernism – a realization that human reason is insufficient to understand the complexity of existence. As Christians we must go through this and engage the modern era. As Christians we must go through this and engage the modern era.

The narrowing of Reason ”Faith … is courage to exist and an awakening to the greatness and breadth of what is real. Faith is an act of affirmation; it is based on the power of a new Yes, which becomes possible for man when he is touched by God. It seems to me important … to emphasize clearly the essential reasonableness of faith. In a criticism of the modern period, which has long been going on, one must not reproach its confidence in reason as such but only the narrowing of the concept of reason…” –Pope Benedict XVI

The living God finds us When we admit we have no hope of understanding truth on our own - we become humble enough to allow God to find us. When we admit we have no hope of understanding truth on our own - we become humble enough to allow God to find us. I can not understand myself or the world on my own. I can not understand myself or the world on my own. In relationship with the living God I find an answer. For in this I recognize that I am existing in relationship with One much bigger than myself. In relationship with the living God I find an answer. For in this I recognize that I am existing in relationship with One much bigger than myself.

God finds us in our intellect and senses “This is what we proclaim to you: what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked upon and our hands have touched, we speak of the Word of life.” - 1 John 1 “This is what we proclaim to you: what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked upon and our hands have touched, we speak of the Word of life.” - 1 John 1 We touch and see the Reason Himself every time we go to Mass - this can only be seen in the light of Faith - but Faith is not a denial of the senses or the intellect. We touch and see the Reason Himself every time we go to Mass - this can only be seen in the light of Faith - but Faith is not a denial of the senses or the intellect. Faith is an affirmation of God’s love for us. Faith is an affirmation of God’s love for us. It is not a denial of anything. It is an It is not a denial of anything. It is an affirmation of all that IS - for God IS. affirmation of all that IS - for God IS.

God finds us beyond our senses The Truth is Mystery – a logical paradox. The Truth is Mystery – a logical paradox. The paradox of the incarnation. “We hold Truth in earthen vessels.” The paradox of the incarnation. “We hold Truth in earthen vessels.” The paradox of the cross: “To live you must die.” The paradox of the cross: “To live you must die.” Thinking about a paradox leads to: Thinking about a paradox leads to: – Humility through which we let God into our lives. – Prayer in which we reach out to God. –Contemplation in which we talk to God without words. St. Theresa of Avila

A Final View Christ is Reason made flesh… This is a great mystery. Rembrandt’s Three Crosses