Logic & Argumentation
To think is to judge. To judge requires a standard. Logic is the immune system of the mind. Without it, you will accept any virus of thought.
1. The Argument from Reason
Before we use logic, we must ask: Where do the Laws of Logic come from?
If the universe is just atoms banging together (Materialism), then "thoughts" are just chemical fizz. Chemicals are not "true" or "false"—they just are.
The Atheist's Dilemma: To argue against God, you must use Logic. But Logic itself (immaterial, universal, invariant laws) cannot exist in a purely material universe. The fact that we can debate proves the universe is more than just matter.
2. The Two Engines: Deduction vs. Induction
We must sharpen our tools. Most valid Islamic theology relies on Deduction Reasoning from general to specific. If premises are true, the conclusion MUST be true (e.g., All men die -> Socrates is a man -> Socrates will die). Reasoning from specific observations to general rules. It yields probability, not certainty (e.g., 'All swans I've seen are white' doesn't prove black swans don't exist).
| Feature | Deductive Reasoning ( Certainty ) | Inductive Reasoning ( Probability ) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Top-Down: Truth flows from Premise to Conclusion. | Bottom-Up: Patterns observed imply a rule. |
| Strength | Absolute. If premises are true, conclusion MUST be true. | Probabilistic. The 'Black Swan' can always appear. |
| Role in Faith | Proving God's existence (Logical Necessity). | Science, Evolution, Historical Analysis. |
3. Weaponized Fallacies (The Attack)
Modern discourse is riddled with these specific fallacies used to silence religious thought.
Fallacy 1: The Genetic Fallacy (Bulverism)
Fallacy 2: The Strawman
4. Islamic Contribution: Qiyās (Analogy)
Islamic logic isn't just Greek copy-paste. It developed Qiyās Analogical Deduction. Using a 'Root' case (Asl) to judge a new 'Branch' case (Far') based on a shared effective cause (Illah).
Target Case (Bitcoin) = Root Case (Gold/Currency) + Effective Cause (Value Storage)Without this logical machinery, religion would die. With it, it is timeless.
References & Further Reading
- MiraclesThe classic Argument from Reason against Naturalism.
- A Rulebook for ArgumentsPractical guide to constructing arguments.
- Al-Qistas Al-MustaqimApplication of logic to theology.