Most of us think we can spot propaganda, deception, and weak arguments. Yet these tactics work every day because they often sound reasonable at first. Practical axioms give us simple warning signs that tell us when to look closer.
How Myth And Symbolic Stories Shape Culture
Myth and symbolic stories shape culture. They turn ideas, values, fears, and experiences into narratives that people can remember and share. Those stories pass from one generation to the next. They shape culture and carry its meaning forward.
Investigating the Existence of the Human Spirit or Soul
Does the soul exist? Investigating the existence of the human spirit or soul seeks the answer. The question lacks a simple answer. There are at least seven different ways to approach this subject. We will look at each to see how it helps illuminate this topic.
Religious Camouflage Hiding Illogical Thinking
Religious camouflage can make weak reasoning difficult to recognize. By hiding illogical thinking behind tradition, religions make unsupported claims seem reasonable. Spotting camouflage helps us make better decisions before accepting ideas.
Different Perspectives on Authentic Faith
People talk about authentic faith as if everyone agrees on what it means. They do not. There are different perspectives on authentic faith. Learning to spot these different perspectives helps us understand what someone means when they use the term.
How We Reach A Conclusion And What Can Go Wrong
Thinking feels automatic, but it’s the result of a process. Understanding how we reach a conclusion helps us to form more accurate conclusions. We learn to see when our thinking is strong and when it fails. It also shows us that what can go wrong can still seem right.
Deductive and Inductive Reasoning: Solving the Broken Window
Conclusions feel certain because we have confidence in them. But this confidence does not come from evidence or logic. Deductive and inductive reasoning are tools to help us solve everyday puzzles, such as a broken window.
A Rational Framework for Investigating Religious Claims
Religions often teach their claims as truth. They may also discourage questions about those claims. A rational framework for investigating religious claims without cultural roadblocks. It provides a way to explore concepts without letting fear, belief, or tradition decide the answer first.
Seeking God: The Four Ways to Approach a Higher Power
Seeking God can mean more than deciding whether a higher power exists. Reason, philosophy, faith, and experience give us four ways to explore the question and see how our beliefs take shape.
What is True: Weighing Truth by Faith and Truth By Fact
There are two ways to determine truth: truth by faith and truth by fact. To find out what is true, we must weigh claims carefully. We must examine how they are supported and accept uncertainty when evidence is incomplete. This article explores how people decide what is true.