General Principles and elucidating those Principles
Critical rationalism. Lack of neutrality- we all see through a lens. Especially on important matters to our identity or being. That's the honest truth. But we should try to analyse our own beliefs if we want to have the best chance of finding the truth.
Importance of presuppositions, assumptions and background beliefs
Web of beliefs- how are beliefs are structured and join to provide our framework for understanding the world.
Objective truth- What you see depends on where you're standing. But, the truth is out there and it's up to us to find it. These statements are not contradictory.
Epistemology is crucial but depends on context eg what is evidence, what evidence would we expect. Absence of evidence A isn't evidence of the absence of thing B unless we would've expected evidence A to exist in the case that thing B existed.
Always establish the relevant facts.
Bayesian- probability is a good framework for thinking or deciding what's likely. And in life, play the odds. Understand the probabilities.
Rationality is person dependent. Two people could have the same conclusion but reach it using totally different reasoning. Two people may have different personal experiences that can reasonably influence how rational their view is.
Epistemic humility- everyone knows something you don't. The Island of ever expanding knowledge and the realisation of ever expanding information. The more you learn, the more you realise how much you don't know.
Science is not everything. Science is susceptible to all the above concerns and political pressures. Science has its aims and limits. It needs to stay in its lane. But, science is pretty damn good when done well.
We're social beings. This has many consequences. It means we are primarily social, not rational, although of course we retain varying degrees of competence at being rational. It also means group think/group influence is real whether we like it or not.
The truth often lies in the middle of the extremes.
Everybody is a product of their upbringing and the personal experiences they've had. This doesn't meant they aren't responsible for their actions, but it's useful to remember.
Knowledge comes in many forms and types. Intellectual knowledge, everyday knowledge. Personal experience.
Approaching issues
Wider context- the value of history, and the value of the birds eye view. The Forest and the trees are both important.
Ask the right questions. Look for the facts and the most reliable evidence. Understand that the future may give more facts and evidence.
Look from multiple angles. He who knows only his side of the argument knows little of that.
Beware the arbitrary categorisations of philosophers. Think out side the box, and don't assume the framework you're looking through is the best framework.
The existence of God and Christian theology
Easy Resistibility Principle and Wide Accessibility Principle.
1st and 2nd order thinking in understanding God and arguments for God. Primacy of underlying, foundational beliefs is of even more primacy here.
Creeds are core.
Theological agnosticism- other issues. Blue Parakeets abound and there are plenty of different ways to look at some theological issues that have divided churches. On a meta level there are different ways of approaching the inerrancy and inspiration of the Bible. Maybe that's the way God intended it. Don't major in the minors.
Structuring Society, ie: Politics
Freedom of speech properly understood. Only disallowed speech is that which directly encourages literal violence against others. Crucial for Good public debate - Facts over feelings and importance of facts. Encourages use of evidence over ideology. Reducing freedom of speech is a double wrong- a crime against the speaker and a crime against all potential listeners. ie: The rest of society.
Secularism properly understood. The neutral public square means no public funding for any specific default religion. And no church leaders with default positions in leadership. It does not mean no public money should be spent on faith groups or faith institutions.
People and ArgumentsUnderstand the person to understand what they mean when they speak or make an argument.
Good conversations are nuanced and thoughtful. Listen, don't just hear. Turing test. Principle of charity- try not to assume worst interpretation or put words in their mouth. Put yourself in their shoes- they are a different person and may have different core values. Aim to unmask their assumptions but at the same time, be prepared to unmask your own. These give the greatest possibility of understanding each other, broadening your minds and learning. Changing minds is not usually a realistic outcome.
Practicalities - what it means for everyday life
Try to understand "How the World works"- examples: gardening, cooking.
Truth is not a popularity contest, don't be afraid to hold unorthodox ideas
Think before speaking or acting
Be generous with others- so many layers to their views and influences.
Creeds are core.
Theological agnosticism- other issues. Blue Parakeets abound and there are plenty of different ways to look at some theological issues that have divided churches. On a meta level there are different ways of approaching the inerrancy and inspiration of the Bible. Maybe that's the way God intended it. Don't major in the minors.
Structuring Society, ie: Politics
Freedom of speech properly understood. Only disallowed speech is that which directly encourages literal violence against others. Crucial for Good public debate - Facts over feelings and importance of facts. Encourages use of evidence over ideology. Reducing freedom of speech is a double wrong- a crime against the speaker and a crime against all potential listeners. ie: The rest of society.
Secularism properly understood. The neutral public square means no public funding for any specific default religion. And no church leaders with default positions in leadership. It does not mean no public money should be spent on faith groups or faith institutions.
People and ArgumentsUnderstand the person to understand what they mean when they speak or make an argument.
Good conversations are nuanced and thoughtful. Listen, don't just hear. Turing test. Principle of charity- try not to assume worst interpretation or put words in their mouth. Put yourself in their shoes- they are a different person and may have different core values. Aim to unmask their assumptions but at the same time, be prepared to unmask your own. These give the greatest possibility of understanding each other, broadening your minds and learning. Changing minds is not usually a realistic outcome.
Practicalities - what it means for everyday life
Try to understand "How the World works"- examples: gardening, cooking.
Truth is not a popularity contest, don't be afraid to hold unorthodox ideas
Think before speaking or acting
Be generous with others- so many layers to their views and influences.
