Faith and Reason (Questions)

The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.

Blaise Pascal

Reason is the Devil's greatest whore; by nature and manner of being she is a noxious whore; she is a prostitute, the Devil's appointed whore; whore eaten by scab and leprosy who ought to be trodden under foot and destroyed, she and her wisdom ... Throw dung in her face to make her ugly. She is and she ought to be drowned in baptism... She would deserve, the wretch, to be banished to the filthiest place in the house, to the closets."


[Martin Luther, Erlangen Edition v. 16, pp. 142-148]


And again

But since the devil's bride, Reason, that pretty whore, comes in and thinks she's wise, and what she says, what she thinks, is from the Holy Spirit, who can help us, then? Not judges, not doctors, no king or emperor, because [reason] is the Devil's greatest whore.


http://www.twoorthree.net/2008/03/reason-is-the-d.html


Jon, I have recently been trying to sort through the meaning and difference between inductive and deductive arguments. And what I have learned in looking at logic (and the syllogism in particular) is that logic is a tool that should lead u...s to certain humility. Why? Because it can only establish so much, and not "prove" anything. According to Hume, all inductive arguments are invalid (in terms of proof, because -- given the limits of empirical observation-- they require infinite knowledge to make absolute or universal statements), while deductive claims always begin with a premise that you must accept in order to work the syllogism. A deductive argument can clarify, or show logical inconsistencies, but it cannot prove something you don't already agree to before you start.... So, in my mind, logic is a tool that shows us the limits of certain kinds of reason. And induction will always be a matter of probability... or faith.





Karl and Jerry

http://www.usatoday.com/video/index.htm?bctid=424695330001#/News/USATvs%3A+Are+science+and+religion+compatible%3F/42804638001/40264770001/424695330001



What is the role of reason in the acquisition of wisdom?


What is reason?

What are the limitations of reason?

Is reason the sole means by which we seek to discover truth, or is it part of a bundle?

What role does reason play in our reading of holy writ?

What role does reason play in apprehending faith?





What is the role of faith in the acquisition of knowledge?



What is provisional assent? How does faith differ from provisional assent?

What roll does faith play in giving credence to reason?

What role does faith play in taking us beyond reason?

What distinguishes good faith from bad faith? (Is all Faith equal?)

Is it possible to reason righty, or fully without Faith?