Apologetics Lecture Notes

Principles of Knowledge in Apologetics

Four Non-Negotiable Principles:

1. Law of Non-Contradiction
2. Law of Causality
3. Basic Reliability of Sense Perception
4. Analogical Use of Language

Principle of Causality

Historical Context

• Used extensively in Western theoretical thought to argue for the existence of God.
• Medieval thinkers and Aristotle:
  • Reasoned from the existence of the world back to an adequate cause (God as the first cause).
• Shift Post-Enlightenment:
  • Rise of skepticism against cause and effect.
  • Bertrand Russell and John Stuart Mill's objections.

Key Arguments and Objections

• *John Stuart Mill's Objection: