Deconstruction and Apologetics

People respond in different ways to claims that contradict one's worldview. Some respond with anger. Others respond by investigating the facts or attempting to find a flaw in the logic used. Others use a technique called "deconstruction." What do I mean by this, and why is this an invalid approach to rational discourse?

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Apologetics
• Christianity
• Bible
• logic
• defending
• faith

[newwwfag]

The problem with words like "morality" is that there isn't a common definition. What you might consider "moral" might be "immoral" to another. This term is a mere abstraction, and is not based on anything tangible. When you say that somebody is "immoral", you basically mean "I don't like the way you behave." Which essentially makes it nothing more than a fancy opinion, thus the objection - "What is your definition of "morality"?" is quite relevant, since it exposes your bias.

[grammastola]

"The problem with words like 'morality' is that there isn't a common definition. What you might consider 'moral' might be 'immoral' to another."

With all due respect, this is a perfect example of the desconstructionism to which I objected.

Morality is defined as the set of moral principles that distinguish right from wrong. Your objection is with regard to the *particulars* of morality. Even if we granted your claim, it would have no bearing on whether morality or free will exist.

[grammastola]

BTW, here's a point that I neglected to cover in this video... When was the last time you heard a skeptic demand a definition for truth when someone says "There is no truth"? Or morality when someone says "There is no absolute morality"? I never have.

This is another reason why I don't believe that people ask such questions because they perceive a genuine ambiguity. Rather, it's a way of offering the semblance of a rebuttal without actually pointing out any logical flaw or faulty premise.

[dustgilpin]

Excellent Gram... I absolutely hate it when people break off onto absurd tangents that are consciously understood by all parties. Scholars and the educated don't need to break down intelligent discussions into vocabulary lessons.

[grammastola]

"Scholars and the educated don't need to break down intelligent discussions into vocabulary lessons."

I love that statement! Maybe I'll use it the next time somebody haughtily demands a definition of "right," "wrong," "logic" or some other elementary term.

[joness105639]

You're still alive? wow. I haven't seen one of your vids in ages. we missed you

[irun26mi]

I noticed that all the time on the Religon & Spirtuality section on Yahoo Q&A. Atheists always attempt to get the light off of themselves by attacking the character, intelligence of the person or trying to find fault with the grammar, or they go off on something totally irrelevant to the question being asked.

[Pdrum2]

Quirrling, (i think that is houw you spell it) thats exactly the problem with a lot of people. Starting problems.

[psjabears]

I have learned alot from you sir, and thank you for telling it how it is. Some people Just like to argue....and shame on them for doing so.

[grammastola]

Thanks for the comments, gentlemen. I do know that there were some apologists who preceeded me, though -- gccsmg, for example.

Having said that, I'm thrilled to see that more people are pursuing this endeavor, as you folks have. I'm especially pleased when I see people producing their own videos (as opposed to reposting other people's works) and articulating their case in a clear, careful, and systematic fashion. Praise God!

[Veritas48]

No really Gram, your a major reason I made my account in the first place. also. You are a pioneer of this movement. And also, I completely agree with this video. Sometimes as apologists we get so caught up in defining terms that the other person obviously has an intuition for when really all thats happening is they are dancing around an argument. Happens all the time with me.

[bluevaines]

I was thinking of messaging you to see if everything was alright=] then I saw your video on my subscribed videos and said

"THANK GOD".Hey I have an absolute trueth "I love your videos".