Originally Posted by
Prodigal_Son forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_khaki/viewpost.gif
Granny,
I am puzzled as to what your definition is of “objective reasoning”. I can only see two possible definitions, myself:
1. A type of action that is objectively reasoning.
2. A type of reasoning that is completely unbiased, and works exclusively from true premises.
If you mean #1, then I agree that we objectively reason. But if you mean #2, then you need to provide a mechanism by which we might work exclusively from true premises. No Catholic I know of, no matter how optimistic about human capacities, believes that we are incapable of error. 
*So what is objective reasoning, pray tell? *
Most dictionaries will give you something like this for objective: “not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased.” (
dictionary.com)
This is precisely the source of my definition #2. Reasoning is, by the same source, “the process of forming conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises.” Thus, “objective reasoning” is “the process of forming conclusions based on facts or premises, in an unbiased way.”
But all human reasoning is biased by our perspective.
I’m not clear on what you mean by “experiential learning.”
From your source:
www.dictionary.com
Objective definitions
Number 6. intent upon or dealing with
things external to the mind rather than with thoughts or feelings, as a person or a book.
Number 7. being the object of perception or thought;
belonging to the object of thought r
ather**** than to the thinking subject ( opposed to
subjective).
Number 8. of or pertaining to something that can be known, or to something that is an object or a part of an object;
existing independent of thought or an observer as part of reality.
From your source:
www.dictionary.com
Subjective definitions
Number 1. existing in the mind;
belonging to the thinking subject rather than to the object of thought ( opposed to
objective).
Number 5. relating to properties or specific conditions of the mind **as distinguished from general or universal **
experience.
From
The American Heritage College Dictionary
Objective definitions
Number 2. Having actual existence or reality.
Number 3b. Based on observable phenomena;
From
The American Heritage College Dictionary
Subjective definitions
Number 1a. Proceeding from or taking place in a person’s mind rather than the external world:
Number 3. Existing only in the mind,
There is another definition/explanation for objective. My apology, I do not have the citations; however, it can be found in general Catholic teaching. There is an universal objective truth which means that it exists independently. Thus, this universal truth does not depend on the affirmation of any human. It exists before we were born and will exist after we die. Primarily, this universal truth is above and beyond nature as we know it on earth.
Regarding your statement: “But all human reasoning is biased by our perspective.”
Admittedly, my experience on CAF is limited. However, from what I have read here, apparently both
non-theists and theists hold to that statement. In my humble opinion, that is probably due to the influence of relativism.
Regarding your statement: "I’m not clear on what you mean by “experiential learning.”
No need to be concerned about it. I usually add it to my discussion with non-theists because it may help them to express their ideas regarding subjective reasoning and relativism. Actually, “experiential learning” is a mode of teaching which is used by very few teachers depending on geographical location. I came across it in Alaska on a junior high level.
To understand how objective and subjective applies to reasoning, there needs to be more discussion/(name removed by moderator)ut on your part. Thank you.
Blessings,
granny
*Luke 24: 13-35 *
