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The Deep and Inextricable Interdependence of Faith and Reason

I talk to many on X (formerly Twitter). A benefit of this effort is that my arguments grow increasingly more succinct.

For example, Pope John Paul (with Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict)) assembled a tomb on faith and reasonENCYCLICAL LETTER, FIDES ET RATIO, OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF, JOHN PAUL II, TO THE BISHOPS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAITH AND REASON. Unfortunately, their argument(s) are not succinct. While they are historically wonderful, to persuade, they must be brief, and they are not.

Accordingly, the title of my post above is much more affirmative. While Pope Paul’s Encyclical, “Faith and Reason,” implies a beneficial relationship, it is not sufficient.

Faith cannot be disentangled from reason

The argument is as follows:

1. Considering the above image, the pursuit of the sufficient condition recognizes the UNKNOWN hypothesis. Humility before the UNKNOWN hypothesis enables reason (the pursuit of truth). In other words, once truth is claimed, reason, by definition, ends. Therefore, for reason, humility in the face of the UNKNOWN hypothesis is key.
2. Nevertheless, the UNKNOWN hypothesis implies that, for human reason, there must be a reason for everything. Yet, because the UNKNOWN hypothesis is stubbornly unknowable (think of it as God’s truth), the rational person must nevertheless maintain faith that a reason for everything exists.
3. Therefore, faith is KEY (essential, central) to reason.
4. Fortunately, over time, and as evidence for the reasons materializes, the individual perceives the Holy Spirit (think of this as recognition for the reason behind everything). Thus, with wisdom, i.e., an understanding of reality (perception of the Creator), one’s faith grows.
5. Reason is, therefore, God’s gift. Faith is a recognition of this gift.

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