LANGER, SUSANNE K (1953)(1967) An Introduction to Symbolic Logic, Dover Publications, New York.
Some key symbols from the textbook:
≡df = Equivalence by definition
: = Equal (s)
ε = Epsilon and means is
⊃ = Is the same as
⊨ is Entails
˜ = Not
∃ =There exists
∃! =There exists
∴ = Therefore
· = Therefore < = Is included
Joint Inclusion or Disjunction of Classes
Two classes may be related to a third class. Taking the two classes, class A and class B, together in one class, this class contains everything that belongs to class A or class B, therefore, it is called the sum of class A and class B. (139). This would be expressed like a mathematical term, as A + B. (140).
Langer introduces the symbolic symbol V, a logical inclusive disjunction (disjunction is the relationship between two distinct alternatives). (140).
PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.
Shiny new fallacy
It is fallacious to assume age is a guide to correctness. (152). The ad antiquitatem relies on tradition to fallaciously support a claim. (Pirie spells it as ad antiquitam) (152). It is also fallacious to assume that something new is more correct. (152). The argumentum ad novitam is in error because it assumes that newness is a factor in making something correct and sound. (152).
Pirie documents this second fallacy as Novitam, argumentum ad Logically
fallacious
Cited
'Appeal to Novelty
argumentum ad novitatem
(also known as: appeal to the new, ad novitam [sometimes spelled as])
Description: Claiming that something that is new or modern is superior to the status quo, based exclusively on its newness.
Logical Form:
X has been around for years now.
Y is new.
Therefore, Y is better than X.'
Cited
References:
Sternberg, R. J., III, H. L. R., & Halpern, D. F. (2007). Critical Thinking in Psychology. Cambridge University Press.
'Appeal to Tradition
argumentum ad antiquitatem
(also known as: appeal to common practice, appeal to antiquity, appeal to traditional wisdom, proof from tradition, appeal to past practice, traditional wisdom)."
Therefore, as examples, considering these two fallacies..
It is fallacious to assume progressive ideas are by definition, superior to conservative ideas.
It is fallacious to assume conservative ideas are by definition, superior to progressive ideas.
Premises/propositions leading to conclusions should be evaluated on an individual basis, even while admitting propositions and conclusions are developed within a worldview. This is true within Biblical Studies, Theology, Philosophy/Philosophy of Religion, and within other academic disciplines, and in all forms of reason. Some progressive liberal ideas may be superior to conservative ideas, but ideas should not be assumed to be so without reason and evidence. Some conservative ideas may be superior to progressive ideas, but ideas should not be assumed to be so without reason and evidence. I definately, definitively, strongly, have a worldview more on the moderate conservative side, within a Reformed, Biblical, tradition.
Pirie explains that these two fallacies can conflict. (154). An appeal to the new versus and appeal to the old. As noted this can take place in the form of progressive versus conservative ideas, but admittedly, theoretically, at times, progressive liberal approaches can embrace older ideas and conservatism can embrace newer ideas.
Cited
References:
Harpine, W. D. (1993). The Appeal to Tradition: Cultural Evolution and Logical Soundness. Informal Logic, 15(3).
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BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
CONWAY DAVID A. AND RONALD MUNSON (1997) The Elements of Reasoning, Wadsworth Publishing Company, New York.
LANGER, SUSANNE K (1953)(1967) An Introduction to Symbolic Logic, Dover Publications, New York. (Philosophy).
PAPINEAU, DAVID (Gen. Ed) (2016) Philosophy: Theories and Great Thinkers, New York, Shelter Harbour Press.
PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.
POJMAN, LOUIS P. (1996) Philosophy: The Quest for Truth, New York, Wadsworth Publishing Company.
SAMPLES, KENNETH (2014) How to Evaluate an Abductive Argument, Reasons to Believe, Covina, California.
SZUDEK, ANDY & TORSLEY, SARAH (2018) The Little Book of Philosophy, Landau Cecile (Ed), London, DK Publishing.
A friend of mine sent me the video below in favour of young earth theory.
I am not a scientist, but I have as a theologian and philosopher, some considerations in regard to the presentation and the concepts of infinite and infinite speed.
'Young-earth (YE) and old-earth (OE) creationists disagree on a great number of scientific issues—most prominently the ages of the Earth and universe—but both groups generally agree on the astronomical distances measured with telescopes. The Sun sits just over eight light-minutes away, the center of the Milky Way Galaxy at 25,000 light-years, the Andromeda Galaxy around 2.5 million light-years, and the most distant quasars up to 13 billion light-years away. These distances pose no problems for inflationary, big bang models of the universe (consistent with an OE view), but the YE creationist models have a “distant starlight problem.” How do observers see such distant objects in a few-thousand-year-old universe?'
Cited
'Astronomer Jason Lisle,1 until recently at Answers in Genesis, has proposed a novel solution to the “distant starlight problem.” His article describing the model provides details,2 but here are the salient features of what he calls the Anisotropic Synchrony Convention (ASC).'
Cited
'3. Lisle adopts a different synchrony convention where light travels at infinite speed in one direction and half the speed of light on the return trip.
4. He also introduces a directional dependence such that light travels at infinite speed toward the Earth. Lisle then argues that the Genesis 1 creation account suggests that God used the ASC in His miraculous work during the creation week. For example, all the stars created on the fourth day would need to be visible from Earth’s surface in order to perform their function (to serve as signs for seasons––Gen. 1:14). Choosing the ASC would mean the light from these stars arrived instantaneously on day four.
Cited
'The pressing question becomes: which convention is the correct one to use? Without a doubt, the standard convention provides the easiest framework for calculating a sequential history of the events in the universe as well as for computing how to build particle accelerators, GPS systems, and many other technological instruments. Unfortunately, Lisle’s choice of conventions is untestable, as he acknowledges:
The anisotropic synchrony convention is just that—a convention. It is not a scientific model; it does not make testable predictions.It is a convention of measurement and cannot be falsified any more than the metric system can be falsified.'
Cited
'Lisle’s addition of a directionality condition (item 4 above) may prove the most problematic aspect of the ASC. Although the synchrony convention is a genuine choice, the anisotropic nature of the ASC would produce observable consequences. The biggest consequence would be a detectable gravitational field (apart from the one caused by Earth’s mass) and scientists measure no such field.4'
Infinite speed?
'Lisle adopts a different synchrony convention where light travels at infinite speed in one direction and half the speed of light on the return trip.'
Oxford defines light as 'The form of electromagnetic radiation to which the human eye is sensitive and on which our visual awareness of the universe and its contents relies.' (476). Related to colour. (476).
The finite velocity of light was suspected many with experimentation earlier, but was not documented and established until 1676, when Ole Christensen Rømer, measured it. (476). Further progress was made over the years through scientific research, including the development of wave theory. (476-477). Albert Einstein and others worked in the field and there theory developed and evolved into a theory of 'quantum theory and wave mechanics.' (477). Quantum being the minimum amount by which certain properties, such as energy and angular momentum of a system can change. (677).
Based on academic science, light is documented as having a finite velocity.
However, based on Lisle's theory, in fairness, theologically, I reason that theoretically, God could supernaturally, instantaneously illuminate his creation. This view would be understood as supported by the particular interpretation of 'let there by light' from Genesis 1 as infinite and not finite light. It would be the supernatural appearance of light within the nature of the infinite, limitless God. But God could illuminate his creation with created, finite light and it would be also supported by 'let there be light.'
Cited
'Choosing the ASC would mean the light from these stars arrived instantaneously on day four.'
I do not reason the infinite arrives, in the sense of infinite light would not traverse time and space, it simply is and simply would be. It would appear within the finite universe. If this was God as light.
The concept of infinite speed seems problematic. Speed by definition is a rate, it is finite. Light from God that arrives, seems more likely created finite light.
Scientifically, measurable light is not supernatural and is not infinite. Scientifically, philosophically and theologically, concepts of light travelling at infinite speed seem problematic as mentioned, and are also not measurable by finite standards. Finitely created light and the speed of that light would not be measurable by any type of infinitude, but instead would be measured by finitude.
Within my writings I have reasoned philosophically, theologically and biblically that only God is limitless. Only God is eternal and has both no beginning and no end. Only God is infinite. Anything within created matter is finite. Anything created is finite. This includes time and space.
Oxford Dictionary of Science, (2010), Sixth Edition, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
'In 'hypothetically speaking', the implication is 'This is not going to happen, though. It's only conjectural, suppose....
On the other hand, in 'theoretically speaking', the meaning is just that, you are backed by theory; you are speaking with reference to theoretical concepts; also, 'We are only dealing with the theory here, don't ask if it has any practical use, that's not in scope.''
Oxford
Hypothetical (adjective) and Hypothetically (adverb)
'2 supposed but not necessarily real or true.' (670).
This definition fits a philosophical, propositional context.
Theoretical (adjective) and Theoretically (adverb)
'1 concerned with knowledge but not with practical application, 2 based on theory rather than experience or practice.' (1446).
This definitions fits a philosophical, propositional context.
My examples
Hypothetically, if Montreal built a new NHL style arena and was awarded a National Hockey League franchise, based on current Forbes franchise value rankings, the likely Montreal Maroons (version 2) would be one of the most valuable clubs in the League.
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In the media, the Montreal Maroons as a concept is rarely mentioned and is hypothetical. There is no real arena, nor any real interest by the League to pursue this idea. The concept is mainly at the limited fan interest level, at present.
In contrast
With the new Videotron Centre in Quebec City, the National Hockey League has stated it will 'defer' the Quebec City expansion bid to a later date. Theoretically, Quebec City has an NHL style arena and is being considered for an actual, real, franchise which will be known as Quebec Nordiques (version 2). This franchise in theory may happen, but there is no practical application. Quebec City does not have a club, and neither does Montreal have a second club.
It could be stated, admitting these definitions overlap:
The Montreal Maroons (version 2) are a hypothetical concept.
The Quebec Nordiques (version 2) are a theoretical concept.
The difference being that at this point there is theory, based in fact, supporting Quebec City and not Montreal.
THE CONCISE OXFORD DICTIONARY (1995) Della Thompson (ed.), Oxford, Clarendon Press.
NHL: Mysteriously this image appears on an NHL.com video, minus the red arrow and question mark. Quebec City is highlighted for some reason. The video was produced by Sportsnet, a League broadcast partner in Canada. Is this a bizarre joke or mistake? Or is this a futuristic League map, accidentally leaked?
