Nathan Richardson
Gerald N. Lund makes an important point about how the various areas of philosophy affect each other:
Whether he recognizes it or not, every person holds to a metaphysical position, trusts in at least one system of epistemology, and holds a personal axiology or set of values and ethics. Furthermore, these three areas of our [...]
Nathan Richardson
In a previous post, “‘Self-evident’ Premises of Science,” I cited six premises listed in the opening essay of the BYU physical science textbook. The authors explain, “All reasoning must rest upon assumptions, and the scientific method … assumes basic philosophical ideals as a foundation. … There are some assumptions that are so logical and [...]
Nathan Richardson
In the opening essay of the BYU physical science textbook, the authors included a section on some of the basic premises upon which the reasoning portion of the scientific method rests. They explain, “All reasoning must rest upon assumptions, and the scientific method … assumes basic philosophical ideals as a foundation. … There are [...]
Nathan Richardson
In a previous post, “Alternative Breathing Styles,” I explained that the LDS church’s position against the practice of homosexuality is motivated by love for people who experience same-sex attraction. Many proponents of homosexuality find this hard to understand or believe. They might say, “I am not interested in changing, and I certainly don’t consider [...]
Nathan Richardson
One thing that is not often understood by proponents of the homosexual lifestyle is the motivations of those who oppose it. Gordon B. Hinckley explained that the Church’s positions on homosexuality is inspired by love and concern for people who experience same-sex attraction:
Our opposition to attempts to legalize same-sex marriage should never be interpreted [...]
Nathan Richardson
In a previous post, “Covenants and Contracts“, Jeff explained that when we define a covenant as “a two-way contract,” we are severely limiting our understanding of the true nature of covenants.
Neither I nor my spouse are independent contractors cunningly negotiating particular goods and services … whose ultimate goal is always to achieve the [...]
Nathan Richardson
In a previous post, “The Essence of Marriage,” I responded to a book review about the definition of marriage. The reviewer concluded that “marriage has no essence,” and therefore we need not be upset or concerned that some groups are vociferously trying to radically alter its legal definition to include, for example, genderless marriage [...]
Nathan Richardson
In a previous post, “Your Spiritual Nose,” I suggested that people too often dismiss the spiritual senses as being less reliable than our physical senses. Some object that spiritual senses are often misperceived or misinterpreted, to which I responded that the physical senses can be misinterpreted, too, such as when a stick appears to [...]
Nathan Richardson
Empirical means “depending upon experience or observation alone.”1 Thus, empiricism is defined as “the doctrine that all knowledge is derived from sense experience.”2 Notice the assumption that experience is synonymous with the senses. It is frequently assumed that sensory experiences (taste, smell, touch, hearing, and sight) are the only “real” experiences. If that were [...]
Nathan Richardson
Philosophy can be divided into several branches that address different issues, such as metaphysics (”What is real?” 
or axiology (”What is good?”). One of those branches is epistemology. According to Gerald Lund, “Epistemology is the study of how we know what is real or true.”1 Part of epistemology involves categorizing various systems people use [...]
Nathan Richardson
In a previous post, “The Essence of Marriage,” I responded to a review of a book on marriage.1 The author of the book summarizes a variety of marriage systems throughout history, showing how the concept of marriage has varied over time and culture. The reviewer determines that because of this variety, we can conclude [...]
Nathan Richardson
The continuing public debate over the definition of marriage has led many people to ask questions about marriage that they may have never thoroughly considered before. Many informative and thought-provoking pieces have been written on these questions, and it takes more than just a brief article to comprehensively address them. I would like to [...]
 | Dennis on Books |
 | Jeff Thayne on The Consequences of Ideas |
| Jeff Thayne on The Greek and Hebrew Intellect… |
 | Wesley on The Consequences of Ideas |
| Wesley on The Greek and Hebrew Intellect… |
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Nathan Richardson