Can you ever prove something to be true through logic rather than evidence?

1. 72

   JMcFarlandposted 10 years ago

   Can you ever prove something to be true through logic rather than evidence?
   
   I see a lot of people trying to use logical arguments to try to prove something is true.   A logically sound argument is logically sound.   It doesn't mean that the argument is true.   Can logic ever be used in its own to prove something is true?   Or is logic just an excuse for when there is no evidence?

   replyreport
2. 57

   Snøwmanposted 10 years ago

   You can't have logic without evidence. Proving something true without evidence is illogical. Can you give an example of logic without evidence?

   replyreport
   1. 72

      JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Me personally, no.  But when I talk with theists and they talk about proof, they start trying to prove it through logic rather than evidence all the time.

      replyreport
   2. 57

      Snøwmanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The organization in the universe is evidence of God. Also the life of Jesus Christ. He did things that only a God could do..

      replyreport
   3. 72

      JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I understand that you believe it, and you're saying it's true, but that's not proof.  Saying something is true does not make it true.

      replyreport
   4. 57

      Snøwmanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That's true. Are you an atheist, thiest or agnostic? The thing with proving God, is you have to prove it to yourself. It can't be proven generally. Well, it can, but we aren't smart enough to do that yet.

      replyreport
   5. 72

      JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'm an atheist agnostic, actually.  How can you prove a supernatural entity to yourself?  Are you capable of proving unicorns to yourself?  What about alternative deities?  Can you prove them to yourself as well? If so, do you believe everything?

      replyreport
   6. 57

      Snøwmanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Imagine you are the only one that has ever tasted salt. Can you prove do the world what salt tastes like? You can't, but you can eat salt and know what it tastes like.
      
      If you were shown evidence that God exists, what would you do with it?

      replyreport
   7. 72

      JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      But you're saying that I can't be shown evidence.   Which is it?
      
      I can describe tastes and sounds and colors.   It's a false analogy.   Besides millions of people claim to know different gods.   They all proved it to themselves?

      replyreport
   8. 87

      Austinstarposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Snowman, can you please describe God? What do you see in your mind's eye when you pray or 'talk' to God?
      BTW - The universe is highly dis-organized, what we can see of it.

      replyreport
   9. 57

      Snøwmanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      @JM: I meant if I could show you how to prove it to yourself what would you do with that opportunity.
      
      @Austin: There are 3 members of the Godhead. The Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. The father and Jesus have bodies. (out of space to type)

      replyreport
   10. 72

       JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       How would I know that what I was experiencing was genuine and not a product of my imagination?   How do you prove which deity it came from?   You need a lot more than internal "proof" and subjectivity to demonstrate something is real.

       replyreport
   11. 87

       Austinstarposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       OK, just describe any one of your Gods, please. I would like a physical description, or describe what it is that YOU see in your mind. Do you see a physical being? a spirit? a cloud? a shadow? What?

       replyreport
   12. 57

       Snøwmanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       The Father has a body like a man.  He glows brighter than the sun. He is all powerful, all loving, and all knowing. Jesus is a separate being with the same attributes. The Holy Ghost is a spirit that guides us to do what's right.

       replyreport
3. 92

   Kathleen Odenthalposted 10 years ago

   Logic is not an antonym of evidence. In fact they are closer to synonyms.

   replyreport
4. 87

   Austinstarposted 10 years ago

   The theory of gravity has mostly been proven through logic. Until very recently, gravity "waves" were not measurable. (Light waves have been measured successfully however, as an example).
   Logic indicated how gravity behaved, but it was unprovable until mathematicians could calculate the effects of gravity by observing how two objects related to each other. Then, as stated, a gravity 'particle' may have been discovered recently.
   So, yes, some things can be 99% proven by logic. However, it is much easier to prove when a measuring stick can be applied.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Penny Gposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yep I always have my stick with me.

      replyreport
5. 60

   Penny Gposted 10 years ago

   The courts wouldn't except logic over evidence that's for sure!

   replyreport
   1. 72

      JMcFarlandposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I completely agree,  which is partially why I wonder why it is used so much when trying to prove a concept so potentially important such as a god.

      replyreport