Our Logic and the Actual Reality

What we see is often changed when looking through a lens. Image: Wirestock by freepik

Most of us see the world through the lens of science, and subsequently assume that whatever science teaches us is true and binding. However, through studying the history of science, we may notice that certain theories build on one another while others contradict each other. Even though scientific theories are widely accepted by most people, very few of them become universal laws. So, how can we distinguish between truth and falsehoods when the world of knowledge comprises both? Are there other ways we can use to ascertain the truth when scientific observations and empirical findings do not provide complete certainty? This essay investigates the logic of the human mind and how rationalism came to dominate our world today.

Beginning Anew

The first step in deciphering what is true is understanding how our brain process information. The conscious part of our brain that perceives logic and reasoning, is largely influenced by the subconscious parts. Therefore, before we can discern which of the things we hear and see is true, it’s perhaps wise to check and see if there are any personal or cultural biases at play that might be affecting our investigations. Since experiences stored in our memory affect intuition and our automatic responses, it’s essential to be aware of the things that may constrain our thoughts and distort reality. Regardless of background or experiences, it will be beneficial for us to start on a clean slate to seek truth with hearts cleansed of emotions and bias.

Restraining from Quick Judgment

To find the unbiased and universal truth, it’s good to adopt an appreciative approach to inquiry that focuses on spending time to reflect, question and contemplate, rather than segregating and comparing to form judgment. This fosters a positive attitude towards discovery, allowing us to broaden our perspective and reducing the urge to form direct conclusions. This approach also encourages careful examination of preconceived notions, incorporating new concepts, and allowing thoughts to develop into ideas. The practice of casting an appreciative gaze on any subject can help us develop the proper attitude of humility when seeking higher knowledge.

Being Aware of Personal Biases

The truth cannot bend to our biases; rather, we recognize that biases are frequently the cause of our vision becoming veiled, preventing us from seeing the truth in its fullness. Assuming that all evidence that we gather are trustworthy, we may end up spreading our version of the truth, which may not be the complete truth. To prevent this, we can cross-reference our theories with genuine historical reports and real-life testimonials to confirm our findings. Having a standard checklist or a criterion at the beginning of our research is crucial in determining fact from fiction.

Finding the Criterion

The logical method of elimination, commonly used in mathematical formulae and scientific methodologies, is not always intuitive or accurate. For instance, when studying the origin of life on Earth, two widely accepted concepts, biogenesis and abiogenesis, has evolved among the scientific community. As more options emerge, we may doubt if there is an absolute truth. In this case, finding a criterion is necessary to set the record straight.

The evolution of theories for the Genesis of Life, (sourced from the internet), illustrated by the author

This criterion is similar to a rule book that a teacher uses to grade all the students in a class. Regardless which field of scholarship we belong to, we lack the authority to judge because each of our viewpoint is limited. By working together, we may build a more complete picture of reality based on science, historical evidence and other fields of expertise. The study of human logic can also help people to reconcile disagreements. Through acceptance and humility, we may find that the all-encompassing truth is in the hands of authority rather than any one of us.

Definitions of Logic

Logical possibility is perceived in many ways by scholars of various subjects. Respected lecturer and scholar, Faraz A. Khan, explained the definitions of human logic in this recorded lecture posted online. The points are summarised as below.

This essay emphasizes the importance of ‘Beginning Anew’ and ‘Restraining from Quick Judgment’ in determining truth from falsehood. With an open and unbiased attitude, we can approach the debate regarding mankind’s genesis. The chart shows that logically inconceivable ideas are false. For example, a square circle is logically inconceivable because a square by definition has four straight angles, while a circle has no angles. These ideas are generally considered false because they contradict the way we understand the world. Truth and falsehoods do not mix since truth is logically necessary and conceivable while falsehoods are logically impossible. In reality, if we can identify the standard by which everything is appraised via a fixed criterion, there can be no gray areas. They are only present when individuals use different standards to measure things, in the absence of a fixed criterion.

Take a few moments to contemplate this statement, “Jesus in the sight of God is like Adam. He created him from dust; then said to him, ‘Be!’ and he was.” — Quran (2:59–60)

This historical statement from the Holy Quran, illustrates man’s creation from dust, contradicting the normative idea of a human born of biological parents. According to logic’s definition shown in the previous chart, this statement is plausible. It coincides with the concept of abiogenesis, which later became the basis for the Chemical Evolution that we know today. Clearly, Adam’s creation from dust is similar but not directly related to abiogenesis. The Quran’s account of Adam’s creation, pushes us to consider the notions beyond laws of nature that are logically conceivable.

With imagination, we can stretch beyond the boundaries of logic. We see impossible things in dreams or movies all the time. Our imaginations allow us to envision objects defying gravity, such as a pen floating upwards or a person flying in the sky. Adam’s creation from dust can be either existing or non-existent, but it is not logically impossible. What is logically inconceivable is a square-circle existing at the same time, in the same perspective. Adam’s creation is hardly the case. The dismissal of this assertion as unreasonable, demonstrates our immaturity, which may be remedied if one wishes to pursue advance knowledge.

Karl Popper proposed that scientific hypotheses and theories can be falsifiable, illustration by author

Scientific methodology presents the notion of falsifiability: the capacity for some proposition, statement, theory or hypothesis to be proven wrong. Natural laws are often derived from extensive observations, but as we can’t observe everything everywhere throughout time. This means a law based on observation might not hold true in every circumstance. There is always the possibility of a non-normative occurrence happening somewhere in the unseen that is out of our surveillance.

Karl Popper’s example serves as a reminder to those of us who rely on empiricism to derive logic. A truly falsifiable theory makes predictions that could be contradicted by a single observation. For instance, the statement “all swans are white” is falsifiable because finding a single black swan disproves it. Since no one exists to testify against Adam’s genesis from dust, it remains a logically possible statement that cannot be revoked.

In the example below, what is logically necessary is contrasted against what is logically inconceivable. Both appear to be the same but are in fact worlds apart. Something that is logically necessary is that which its non-existence is impossible in our mind, while something that is inconceivable is that which its existence is impossible. The Law of Non-contradiction states that: something cannot be both true and not true at the same time when dealing with the same context.

Extract from previous chart: Definitions of Logic illustrated by the author

For example, one cannot believe in science and not believe in science in the same context. But for one to believe in both science and miracles within the same context is not impossible, since they are both logically conceivable. Hard to believe? Let’s stretch our minds further in this next example:

‘Lord,’ she said, ‘how can I have a child when no man has touched me?’ (The angel) replied, ‘Thus it is: God creates what He wills: when He wills a thing He need only say, “Be,” and it is. — Quran (2:47)

Jesus’ birth by a virgin mother is a miracle that may be accepted or denied, but it is not logically impossible. According to previously established logic, a man may be born to a single biological mother without the involvement of a second parent. Logical necessity in terms of natural law, demonstrates that birth through the input of two biological parents is empirically necessary but not rationally essential. As demonstrated by Karl Popper’s example, a theory based solely on reinforcing normative observations is weak since we cannot observe all conditions, locales, and variables at all times. As a result, Jesus’ birth, like Adam’s, is logically plausible, but its acceptance is entirely up to a person’s choice. In other words, logic has little bearing on whether or not one chooses to believe this assertion.

Summary

Returning to the subject of origin, let us gather the concepts we’ve explored thus far. Based on scientific discoveries, both biogenesis and abiogenesis create a broad perspective of how life began on Earth, while the Quran teaches that man originated with Adam’s creation. Historical accounts presented the testimony of a distressed lady who expressed typical skepticism about virgin birth. Are we not just as skeptical when confronted with miracles? Pondering over such testimonies with a renewed sense of what is logically conceivable, can open up our minds to see the larger truth. Perhaps through appreciative inquiry, we might learn the importance of questioning our views and reduce the need to assert our right to the truth. The truth belongs to the ultimate authority and not a specific group of people.

Maybe this is the opportune moment to examine ourselves and find out where our beliefs come from. After all, humans have been endowed with intelligence and reasoning, for the dual function of introspection and external observation. For this reason, the pursuit of truth goes beyond all of mankind’s recorded works in the fields of science, history, religion, literature, and the arts. We are still searching for the answers to the questions in our hearts. Finding the answers to those deep-seated concerns could be the first step in establishing the proper logic, or the prism through which we view the true reality.