Can a truth seeker begin their search with no preconceptions or assumptions?

[meltzerboy]

Can one who seeks truth about the issue of the existence and the nature of G-d; how, why, and if the universe was created; the meaning of their own and others’ lives (humans and non-humans); the “problem” of suffering and death; and so forth begin their search with no preconceptions or assumptions, or is that impossible? For example, must one begin with the assumption that the approach one uses to search for the truth needs to be logical and rational, or might one question logic itself, and, if so, how would one do that? Would one have to assume one exists in order to search for truth and that the notion of truth, as well as a single truth, exists? Must one also believe in advance that one is intellectually able to pursue such a search for truth and that the search is itself an intrinsically worthwhile pursuit? When Descartes attempted to prove his own existence, he was skeptical of everything except his use of logic and the fact he was doubting. Should he and could he have questioned both logic and doubt as well?

 

[ReapReason]

Can one who seeks truth about the issue of the existence and the nature of G-d; how, why, and if the universe was created; the meaning of their own and others’ lives (humans and non-humans); the “problem” of suffering and death; and so forth begin their search with no preconceptions or assumptions, or is that impossible? For example, must one begin with the assumption that the approach one uses to search for the truth needs to be logical and rational, or might one question logic itself, and, if so, how would one do that? Would one have to assume one exists in order to search for truth and that the notion of truth, as well as a single truth, exists? Must one also believe in advance that one is intellectually able to pursue such a search for truth and that the search is itself an intrinsically worthwhile pursuit? When Descartes attempted to prove his own existence, he was skeptical of everything except his use of logic and the fact he was doubting. Should he and could he have questioned both logic and doubt as well?

How does one question logic? All attempts at rational thought begin with making rational distinctions. It begins with the idea that something can be true or false, but not both at the same time. We come to knowledge of that fact because we experience distinction and difference in the objects that we sense. For example a cat is not a mountain, a dog is not a mouse, a triangle is not a square or a circle. We discover logic; we do not invent it.

 

[kra130]

I don’t think you can do much of anything without a preconceived notion. Our experiences mold us into who we are and give us a view point that is slightly different from everyone else. As far as the use of logic yes you can question your logic and there are basically two ways of thinking. there’s either but/and logic which is common in eastern regions or either or logic (i hope you see what i’ve done there).
With regards to is seeking the truth worthwhile. I’m going to quote C. S. Lewis
“If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning.”
The fact that you think there may be absolute truth proves that there must be such i thing because if there are no truths in this world then truth wouldn’t be in our vocabulary.
C. S. Lewis say’s this about truth.
“Whenever you find a man who says he doesn’t believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later.”

“If the universe is so bad…how on earth did human beings ever come to attribute it to the activity of a wise and good Creator?” With you coming from a Jewish background i’m assuming that you know the story of creation with the creation of man God gave in us the ability to reject him. which we did Eve saw the fruit and desired to be like God knowing good and evil. The reason Eve didn’t know good from evil is because there was no evil everything was good evil had no meaning. When she sinned and Adam with her she created evil in the world causing the pain and suffering. God gave man the ability to reject him is because he wanted us to choose to love him. He could have just as easily made robot who had no choice but that’s not love because contrary to popular opinion love is not affectionate feeling but i choice that is made.

 

[Journey322]

I think questions are good as long as the one who is posing them is authentically seeking answers and not hiding behing them to avoid encountering the truth.

As for preconcieved notions, no, I do not believe it is possible to seek after the truth without them. From the moment we are born we are forming beliefs about the world around us. We are not even aware of many of them. We can do our best to minimize the influence of preconcieved ideas on our quest, but ultimately, they cannot be fully eradicated. :nope:

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

We always have preconceptions because we don’t live in an ideological vacuum. One’s culture will determine the way the person seeks the truth for example, but also a wider ideological space. Jews, Christians and non-believers all occupy the same ideological space in the western world (and a bit beyond i suspect), despite differences in our religious beliefs. The only way I can imagine not having preconceptions is if a person grows up completely isolated from all humanity, never having contact with human beings.

 

[runningdude]

We always have preconceptions because we don’t live in an ideological vacuum. One’s culture will determine the way the person seeks the truth for example, but also a wider ideological space. Jews, Christians and non-believers all occupy the same ideological space in the western world (and a bit beyond i suspect), despite differences in our religious beliefs. The only way I can imagine not having preconceptions is if a person grows up completely isolated from all humanity, never having contact with human beings.

Even then, one is inclined by human nature to believe and seek out God.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Even then, one is inclined by human nature to believe and seek out God.

I completely agree. I’m just saying that the tools for that seeking would not be available the way they are available to us in our particular ideological settings. That isolated human would maybe work with a feeling, a desire, a hunch, even if it would not be expressed in language.

 

[Linusthe2nd]

Can one who seeks truth about the issue of the existence and the nature of G-d; how, why, and if the universe was created; the meaning of their own and others’ lives (humans and non-humans); the “problem” of suffering and death; and so forth begin their search with no preconceptions or assumptions, or is that impossible? For example, must one begin with the assumption that the approach one uses to search for the truth needs to be logical and rational, or might one question logic itself, and, if so, how would one do that? Would one have to assume one exists in order to search for truth and that the notion of truth, as well as a single truth, exists? Must one also believe in advance that one is intellectually able to pursue such a search for truth and that the search is itself an intrinsically worthwhile pursuit? When Descartes attempted to prove his own existence, he was skeptical of everything except his use of logic and the fact he was doubting. Should he and could he have questioned both logic and doubt as well?

Don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill. Look at the world around you, if you can accept that you are on your way. You know it can’t account for it’s existence, the order everywhere, the directedness of absolutely eveything, etc. Don’t mess around with anything but Scholastic Philosophy if you think you need that, stay away from every thing else except the lives of the Saints, the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church ( great by the way), the Fathers, and the Church Councils, Encyclicals etc. I admit I am prejudiced but any thing else is a total wast of time and will likely lead you down a croocked road, through a dark forest, with scary critters jumping out from every bush.