Logical positivism is a combination of empiricism and mathematical and logico-linguistic constructs and deductions in epistemology. The crew provides a brief overview of the view and major players. They then proceed to offer a short critique.
post image from the cover of A. J. Ayer’s Language, Truth and Logic.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack
The group discusses Bertrand Russell’s infamous essay Why I Am Not a Christian. Russell led the 20th century British revolt against idealism and contributed greatly to the philosophical field of logic. Jared Oliphint leads a march through Russell’s essay as the group offers a critique of the philosopher’s arguments.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack
René Descartes (31 March 1596 – 11 February 1650), was a French philosopher, mathematician, and physicist. He has been dubbed the “Father of Modern Philosophy,” and much of subsequent Western philosophy is a response to his writings. Many of his works are still studied today – in particular, his Meditations on First Philosophy. Descartes is also known for his contribution to mathematics and even is credited as the father of analytical geometry. Descartes was also one of the key figures in the Scientific Revolution. His famous phrase cogito ergo sum (“I think therefore I am”) is perhaps the most well known philosophical phrase. This phrase encapsulates Descartes attempt to find something he could not doubt – an indubitable. And for him, that thing was the very fact that he was thinking.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack, Nate Shannon
We realized many of our discussions on the Reformed Media Review were drifting toward the philosophical. And we also believe there is a general lack of good philosophical resources – at least from people working from a Reformed theological framework. As a result, we bring you Philosophy for Theologians.
Our goal in this program is to provide an overview of a particular philosophical figure or an idea and to analyze it critically through the lens of Scripture. That doesn’t mean proof-texting Kant’s views, but it does mean that we consider everything in light of God’s revelation. We not only want to address philosophical questions on Philosophy for Theologians, but we want to equip you with a way to think about these questions.
In this wide-ranging discussion, the panel begins with a discussion between Nate Shannon and Bob LaRocca regarding the role of realism in Herman Bavinck and the consistency thereof. The discussions moves on and touches, among other things, upon Thomas Reid, Alvin Plantinga and possible worlds semantics.
Participants: Bob LaRocca, Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack, Nate Shannon
Reformed Forum
115 Commerce Dr., Suite E
Grayslake, IL 60030
+1 847.986.6140
mail@reformedforum.org
