The Life Foundations Nexus
HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT IS TRUE?
By Dr. Michael J. Bisconti
How do we know what is true? There are some things we know that we “just know.” Examples of things we just know are the existence of space and the existence of time.
There are some things we know that we seemingly “just know.” Examples of things we may seemingly just know are the existence of wind and the existence of heat. In actuality, we simply may not remember the proofs of these things. These things we know because they have been proven to us.
There are different types of proof. There is the proof of the senses, such as the proof of the sense of sight. You see rain. Therefore, you know it is raining. There is the proof of logic, which is the proof of a conclusion drawn from a pair of facts. For example, Adam is taller than Bill. Bill is taller than Cooper. Therefore, Adam is taller than Cooper. “Adam is taller than Cooper” is a conclusion drawn from the fact that Adam is taller than Bill and the fact that Bill is taller than Cooper. There is the proof of evidence. For example, a pot of boiling water tells us that someone has been in the kitchen within the last half hour. There is the proof of divine revelation, which is proof that something is a revelation from God. The proof of divine revelation is the fact that a truth is found in the Holy Scriptures. Finally, there is the proof of divine confidence, which is proof that God only gives to those he can trust to keep it to themselves. The proof of divine confidence always proves a truth found in the Holy Scriptures.