Theos-Talk Archives (December 2002 Message tt00526)

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, Larry F Kolts <llkingston2@j...> 
wrote:
> I find Latter-day Saints to be no less logical than any other 
Christian
> religion.

Iy is probably true that "illogical" would not be an appropriate 
word. If I remember correctly., opne aspect of Goedel's Proof is 
that any systsm of ideas must begin with an assumption which cannot 
be proved logically. Thus Euclidean geometry begins with the 
intuitive assumption that parallel lines never meet. If we accept 
that assumption, then the rest of Euclid's geometry can be derived 
logically. if, as Riemann did, you reject that assumption you end up 
with a non-Euclidean geometry which is internally consistent and more 
useful in dealing with problems in modern physics.

If one begins with the assumption that some set of sacred scriptures 
contains inerrant truth, then proceeds to aggressively filter out of 
awarenes the plain fact that said scripture constantly contradicts 
itself and common sense, then one can work out an interpretation with 
impeccable logic that might not appeal to someone who questions the 
fundamental assumption.

Interestingly., there is a form of investigation 9n which the 
falidity of the system is not important. If you were to do a 
scholarly study of Aristotle, the act that some of his ideas are 
considered unscientific today would not impact an effort to find out 
what he thought. In other words, you would not have to believe in 
his celestial spheres to discuss the theories in his book DE CAELO.