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Equivocation deception between names and meanings
1. Equivocation deception between names and meanings
Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [kjv]
ος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω [gnt]
… cum … forma … rapinam … aequalem … [v]
2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [kjv]
διο και ο θεος αυτον υπερυψωσεν και εχαρισατο αυτω το ονομα το υπερ παν ονομα [gnt]
An
"equivocation" is done when two
"names" are made to be
"equal" whereas the corresponding "
things" or "
meanings" are
not "equal". The English word
"equivocate" is from the late Latin word
"aequivoco" ≈ "call or name in the same way".
In Greek, if the context does not make it clear that two things are
"equal" using "
is", then the explicit Greek word
"ισα" ≈ "equal" is needed, as in the above verse.
2. Equivocations as jokes
In equivocation, one equates a meaning of a word with another meaning of that word.
Equivocations can be used as jokes which some people like and some do not. Some jokes equate meanings with the same spelling of the word. Some jokes equate the pronounced sound of the word with the spelling and meaning of a word. And so on.
What happened to the blind carpenter?
He picked up a hammer and saw. I hope you can see past the poor construction used here.
What do you call a dangerous precipitation - perhaps of jokes?
A rain of terror. Better to rein in the jokes, my dear, as in a reindeer.
3. Semantic slide
In equivocation, one equates a meaning of a word with another meaning of that word. Note that the word "
equivocation" has come to have a more general meaning.
Equivocations can also be used to hide double meanings as in a code or secret code.
Before I knew the name "
equivocation" for this fallacy I coined the term "
semantic slide" since the meaning or semantics of the word was made slippery. Another phrase I use for individual words is a "
word slide".
4. Philippians 2:6
KJV: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Greek: ος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω
Latin: qui cum in forma Dei esset non rapinam arbitratus est esse se aequalem Deo
Spanish: el cual, siendo en forma de Dios, no tuvo por usurpación el ser igual a Dios;
5. Philippians 2:9
KJV: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Hebrew: על כן גם האלהים הגביהו מאד ויתן לו שם נעלה על כל שם׃
Greek: διο και ο θεος αυτον υπερυψωσεν και εχαρισατο αυτω το ονομα το υπερ παν ονομα
6. Doublespeak equivocation
The English word
"equivocation" means a deception by means of making names (or things) equal that are not actually equal. This is sometimes called "
doublespeak".
Aristotle first defined and explained how "
equivocations", as one type of invalid logic, could be used to deceive others. Paul appears to allude to this in Philippians 2:9 where one might infer that the "
bishops" were doing something with "
names" to elevate their status.
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [kjv]
διο και ο θεος αυτον υπερυψωσεν και εχαρισατο αυτω το ονομα το υπερ παν ονομα [gnt]
7. Double-tongued
1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; [kjv]
διακονους ωσαυτως σεμνους μη διλογους μη οινω πολλω προσεχοντας μη αισχροκερδεις [gnt]
diaconos … bilingues … [v]
Paul sets many requirements for the deacon. The deacon should not be "
double-tongued". In the Greek, this is to speak with "
double words". The deacon should not speak with a "
forked tongue".
In Native American tribes, to "
speak in a forked tongue" was to "
lie". This phrase was adopted during the time of the American Revolution. To tell the truth was to talk with a "
straight tongue".
8. 1 Timothy 3:8
KJV: Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Greek: διακονους ωσαυτως σεμνους μη διλογους μη οινω πολλω προσεχοντας μη αισχροκερδεις
Latin: diaconos similiter pudicos non bilingues non multo vino deditos non turpe lucrum sectantes
Wycliffe: Also it bihoueth dekenes to be chast, not double tungid, not youun myche to wyn, not suynge foul wynnyng;
Gothic: jah swa diakaununs gariudans, nih faihufrikans, ni weina filu haftjandans, nih aglaitgastaldans,
Luther: Desselbigengleichen die Diener sollen ehrbar sein, nicht zweizüngig, nicht Weinsäufer, nicht unehrliche Hantierung treiben
Spanish: Los diáconos asimismo deben ser honestos, sin doblez, no dados a mucho vino, no amadores de ganancias deshonestas;
9. Aristotle: Categories
The surviving works of Aristotle (about 2,500 pages of English) were put into a somewhat logical order and given references such as [1a]. Here are the very first few lines of those works.
English: Things are equivocally named when they have the name only in common, the definition (or statement of essence) corresponding with the name being different. For instance, while a man and a portrait can be properly both be called animals, these are equivocally named. For they have the name only in common, the definition (or statements of essence) corresponding with the name being different. … (Loeb#325, p. 13)
Greek: Ὁμώνυμα λέγεται ὧν ὄνομα μόνον κοινόν, ὁ δὲ κατὰ τοὔνομα λόγος τῆς οὐσίας ἕτερος, οἷον ζῷον ὅ τε ἄνθρωπος καὶ τὸ γεγραμμένον. τούτων γὰρ ὄνομα μόνον κοινόν, ὁ δὲ κατὰ τοὔνομα λόγος τῆς οὐσίας ἕτερος· … Aristotle: Categories [1a]
Aristotle defines an
"equivocation", or
"names being equal", using the ancient Greek word
"ὁμώνυμος" ≈ "having the same name" from the following words.
"ὁμός" ≈ "same" and is related to the English word "same".
"ὄνυμα" ≈ "name" and is related to the English word "noun".
According to Aristotle, there are two meanings for the same ancient Greek word
"ζῷον" ≈ "animal, portrait". This can provide an interesting possibility, however remote it seems, for such words used, say, in the
GNT (Greek New Testament) and
LXX (Septuagint).
Note: Aristotle used a lot of pronouns. The English fills these out and is, consequently, generally longer than the Greek.
10. Revelation 4:7 Beasts
Revelation 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. [kjv]
και το ζωον το πρωτον ομοιον λεοντι και το δευτερον ζωον ομοιον μοσχω και το τριτον ζωον εχων το προσωπον ως ανθρωπου και το τεταρτον ζωον ομοιον αετω πετομενω [gnt]
According to Aristotle, there are two meanings for the same ancient Greek word
"ζῷον" ≈ "animal, portrait". This may not make sense in the context of Revelation 4:7, but even remote possibilities should be noted in case they prove useful at some point in the future.
Were these
"beasts" actually
"animals"? The Greek texts says that the
"beasts" were
"like" or
"similar" to a description of an actual
"animal". Might sufficiently advanced technology (e.g., "
magic" according to Arthur C. Clarke) such as virtual reality provide such a
"portrait" perception?
It appears that the
"face" was very convincing but the
"animals" were,
like, just
"like" the real thing.
11. Arthur C. Clarke: Magic
Arthur C. Clarke (science fiction author) has said that "
Sufficiently advanced technology and magic are indistinguishable.".
Arthur C. Clarke was the author of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Sometimes artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc. seem like magic.
12. Revelation 4:7
KJV: And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
Greek: και το ζωον το πρωτον ομοιον λεοντι και το δευτερον ζωον ομοιον μοσχω και το τριτον ζωον εχον εχων το προσωπον ως ανθρωπος ανθρωπου και το τεταρτον ζωον ομοιον αετω πετωμενω πετομενω
13. Genesis 1:27
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. [kjv]
και εποιησεν ο θεος τον ανθρωπον κατ εικονα θεου εποιησεν αυτον αρσεν και θηλυ εποιησεν αυτους [lxx]
The ancient Greek word
"εἰκών" ≈ "picture, image" and is the source of the English word
"icon".
The English saying
"spitting image" means someone who looks just like someone else (e.g., their parent).
Granite is a rock. A grain of sand is a piece of granite, made in the image of granite. If Jesus is the rock, then a human sand hierarchy is a "
chip off the old block".
14. Rock and sand
Build your house on the granite
rock of Jesus and not on the human sand (or stones) of man, Matthew 7:24-27. Sand is a chip off the old block of granite and made in the image of granite.
Church of believers built on the rock of Christ .
Church of believers built on the sand of man .
The higher one goes up the human
sand hierarchy or
sand tree, the more the temptation to ignore the foundation of the
rock and to start to "
influence" or "
manipulate" others as "
leaders" for one's own purposes.
To the extent that the Church of believers built on the sand of man helps one do what Jesus wants them to do, it is good. To the extent it does not, it is not good.
Some
birds will make "
stones" (sand on which to build their birdhouse) appear as "
bread". That is, give "
bad" "
gifts" or "
houses" to their "
children".
15. Genesis 1:27
KJV: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Hebrew: ויברא אלהים את האדם בצלמו בצלם אלהים ברא אתו זכר ונקבה ברא אתם׃
Greek: και εποιησεν ο θεος τον ανθρωπον κατ εικονα θεου εποιησεν αυτον αρσεν και θηλυ εποιησεν αυτους
16. Job 38:13-14
Job 38:13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? [kjv]
επιλαβεσθαι πτερυγων γης εκτιναξαι ασεβεις εξ αυτης [lxx]
to lay hold of the extremities of the earth, to cast out the ungodly out of it? [bs3]
38:14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. [kjv]
η συ λαβων γην πηλον επλασας ζωον και λαλητον αυτον εθου επι γης [lxx]
Or did you take clay of the ground, and form a living creature, and set it with the power of speech upon the earth? [bs3]
17. Job 38:13
KJV: That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
Hebrew: לאחז בכנפות הארץ וינערו רשעים ממנה׃
Greek: επιλαβεσθαι πτερυγων γης εκτιναξαι ασεβεις εξ αυτης
Brenton: to lay hold of the extremities of the earth, to cast out the ungodly out of it?
18. Job 38:14
KJV: It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
Hebrew: תתהפך כחמר חותם ויתיצבו כמו לבוש׃
Greek: η συ λαβων γην πηλον επλασας ζωον και λαλητον αυτον εθου επι γης
Brenton: Or did you take clay of the ground, and form a living creature, and set it with the power of speech upon the earth?
19. Psalms 145:16
Psalms 145:16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. [kjv]
ανοιγεις συ την χειρα σου και εμπιπλας παν ζωον ευδοκιας [lxx]
20. Psalms 145:16
KJV: Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Hebrew: פותח את ידך ומשביע לכל חי רצון׃
Greek: ανοιγεις συ την χειρα σου και εμπιπλας παν ζωον ευδοκιας
21. Ezekiel 10:15,20
Ezekiel 10:15 And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar. [kjv]
και ηραν τα χερουβιν τουτο το ζωον ο ειδον επι του ποταμου του χοβαρ [lxx]
… cherubin … animal … videram … flumen … [v]
10:20 This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims. [kjv]
τουτο το ζωον εστιν ο ειδον υποκατω θεου ισραηλ επι του ποταμου του χοβαρ και εγνων οτι χερουβιν εστιν [lxx]
… animal … vidi … fluvium … cherubin … [v]
Did Ezekiel see an
"animal" or
"living creature" or a
"portrait"? No one knows for sure. The Hebrew here may help.
22. Ezekiel 10:15
KJV: And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.
Hebrew: וירמו הכרובים היא החיה אשר ראיתי בנהר כבר׃
Greek: και ηραν τα χερουβιν τουτο το ζωον ο ειδον επι του ποταμου του χοβαρ
Latin: et elevata sunt cherubin ipsum est animal quod videram iuxta flumen Chobar
23. Ezekiel 10:20
KJV: This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.
Hebrew: היא החיה אשר ראיתי תחת אלהי ישראל בנהר כבר ואדע כי כרובים המה׃
Greek: τουτο το ζωον εστιν ο ειδον υποκατω θεου ισραηλ επι του ποταμου του χοβαρ και εγνων οτι χερουβιν εστιν
Latin: ipsum est animal quod vidi subter Deum Israhel iuxta fluvium Chobar et intellexi quia cherubin essent
24. Latin
25. Blood shed for you
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. [kjv]
τουτο γαρ εστιν το αιμα μου της διαθηκης το περι πολλων εκχυννομενον εις αφεσιν αμαρτιων [gnt]
Mark 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. [kjv]
και ειπεν αυτοις τουτο εστιν το αιμα μου της διαθηκης το εκχυννομενον υπερ πολλων [gnt]
Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. [kjv]
και το ποτηριον ωσαυτως μετα το δειπνησαι λεγων τουτο το ποτηριον η καινη διαθηκη εν τω αιματι μου το υπερ υμων εκχυννομενον [gnt]
In Greek, if the context does not make it clear that two things are
"equal" using "
is", then the explicit ancient Greek word
"ισα" ≈ "equal" is needed. This word is
not in the above verse.
Does the
context of these statements at the Last Supper using
"is" constitute
equality, as in
transubstantiation? Is an explicit
"equals" in Greek needed? Luke does not have an
"is" for the "
blood" but is more indirect.
26. New Testament
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. [kjv]
τουτο γαρ εστιν το αιμα μου της διαθηκης το περι πολλων εκχυννομενον εις αφεσιν αμαρτιων [gnt]
Mark 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. [kjv]
και ειπεν αυτοις τουτο εστιν το αιμα μου της διαθηκης το εκχυννομενον υπερ πολλων [gnt]
Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. [kjv]
και το ποτηριον ωσαυτως μετα το δειπνησαι λεγων τουτο το ποτηριον η καινη διαθηκη εν τω αιματι μου το υπερ υμων εκχυννομενον [gnt]
The
"new" is
not in some Greek manuscripts in Matthew and Mark (Peter's Gospel). Matthew and Peter were eye witnesses to that event. The
"new" does appear in Luke who interviewed people some twenty years later as to what they remembered.
Does the
"new" testament/covenant add to existing testaments/covenants or replace any older testaments/covenants?
27. New Testament
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. [kjv]
τουτο γαρ εστιν το αιμα μου της διαθηκης το περι πολλων εκχυννομενον εις αφεσιν αμαρτιων [gnt]
Mark 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. [kjv]
και ειπεν αυτοις τουτο εστιν το αιμα μου της διαθηκης το εκχυννομενον υπερ πολλων [gnt]
Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. [kjv]
και το ποτηριον ωσαυτως μετα το δειπνησαι λεγων τουτο το ποτηριον η καινη διαθηκη εν τω αιματι μου το υπερ υμων εκχυννομενον [gnt]
Some pastors will emphasize "
new" from Luke, not in some Greek manuscripts in Matthew and Mark, as in replacing any "
old" covenant. This is often done to make "
love thy neighbor" the primary testament/covenant that replaces all other testaments/covenant. The "
as yourself" is often omitted so that anything the outside culture wants the outside culture gets in an attempt to get the worldly love for that church.
28. Matthew 26:28
KJV: For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Greek: τουτο γαρ εστιν το αιμα μου το της καινης διαθηκης το περι πολλων εκχυνομενον εκχυννομενον εις αφεσιν αμαρτιων
29. Mark 14:24
KJV: And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Greek: και ειπεν αυτοις τουτο εστιν το αιμα μου το της καινης διαθηκης το περι εκχυννομενον υπερ πολλων εκχυνομενον
30. Luke 22:20
KJV: Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Greek: ωσαυτως και το ποτηριον ωσαυτως μετα το δειπνησαι λεγων τουτο το ποτηριον η καινη διαθηκη εν τω αιματι μου το υπερ υμων εκχυνομενον εκχυννομενον
31. Names and things
Aristotle points out that we reason with "
names" that represent "
things" and not the "
things" themselves.
More than one name can represent the same thing.
Names can represent more than one thing.
This leaves room for deception using words and "
apparent logic". When you "
drink" a "
cup" you are not literally drinking the cup itself.
The English word
"equivocation" means a deception by means of making names (or things) equal that are not actually equal. This is sometimes called "
doublespeak".
32. Equivocation
Example:
All men are created equal. Women are not men, so all women are not created equal.
Sometimes equivocation is used to "
obfuscate" by using another word.
 |
Details are left as a future topic.
|
33. Whose on first
| Baseball players |
| Position |
Player |
| First base |
Who |
| Second base |
What |
| Third base |
I Don't Know |
| Left field |
Why |
| Center field |
Because |
| Pitcher |
Tomorrow |
| Catcher |
Today |
| Shortstop |
I Don't Care |
|
Using words as equal that are not equal is called "equivocation", explained in detail by Aristotle, and used in deception (in addition to bad jokes).
An example of this is the comedy duo of Abbott and Costello doing "Who's on first?".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTcRRaXV-fg (as of 2023-03-24)
|
34. Sinners and saints
It has happened that a family named Sinner and another family named Saint lived on the same street next to each other. Thus, one street had both Sinners and Saints.
Pastors will sometimes use an "
equivocation" to blur the distinction between "
saint" as "
holy believer" and "
Saint" as someone canonized by, say, the Catholic Church.
35. Temptations
The "
gods" that man serves can be contrasted with the temptations that Satan uses and that Satan used against Jesus in the wilderness.
Satan tempted Eve with "
Did God really say that?". Modern false teachers use a similar equivocation process when they say "
Does the Bible really say that?".
36. Servant and slave equivocation
Some churches today will make an equivocation of "
servant" with "
slave", is in the beginning of chapter 1 of Philippians, and then present many historical examples of American slavery and equate that with Roman servants and what Paul is saying. There are some similarities but many differences. Often, this type of presentation is done to promote personal political or social agendas.
Philippians 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I there in do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. [kjv]
In that respect, those churches are doing what Paul in his letter is saying no to do. That is, avoid personal or empty opinion and avoid bad or invalid logic that causes strife and contention. Paul says to preach the true word of Christ, not pretend, or use "
pretence", to teach that word.
37. Reasoning with names and things
1 Reason with things
2 Reason with names
3 Reprove, refute, define
Here is a high-level overview of reasoning and refutation based on ideas from Aristotle. At each step in the process there are places where the process can be attacked. This can be a real attack or an apparent attack (deception).
Aristotle says that it is not enough to show the reasoning incorrect. One should, in addition, show why that reasoning appeared to be correct. That is, how did it deceive.
38. Things and names
"Things" exist in
concrete reality truth.The ancient Greek word
"πράγμα" ≈ "thing" as in an actual
"thing",
"entity" or
"object" as in the English word
"pragmatic". One might "
reason" with
"things" such as "
counters". This becomes impracticable for all but very simple cases.
"Names" exist in
abstract logical truth. The ancient Greek word
"ὄνομα" ≈ "name, noun" is related to Latin
"nomen" ≈ "name, noun" (semantic loan from Greek) and English
"name".
Many deceptions are part of the
human opinion truth. The ancient Greek word
"δόξα" ≈ "expectation, opinion" and progressed from
"opinion" and/or
"appearance" to
"expectation" to a narrowing of
"glory".
39. Aristotle: How people learn
English: Thus, some people do not listen to a speaker unless he speaks mathematically, others unless he gives instances, while others expect him to cite a poet as witness.
Greek: … οἱ μὲν οὖν ἐὰν μὴ μαθηματικῶς λέγῃ τις οὐκ ἀποδέχονται τῶν λεγόντων, οἱ δ᾿ ἃν μὴ παραδειγματικῶς, οἱ δὲ μάρτυρα ἀξιοῦσιν ἐπάγεσθαι ποιητή… Aristotle: Metaphysics.
This statement by Aristotle follows the three general types of truth.
logic : mathematically using precise logic and meticulous detail (deductive top-down)
reality : scientific real world examples/instances (empirical bottom-up)
opinion : witness of others (sports heroes, actors, politicians, pastors, etc.)
[logic: six pack; reality: 12 oz. each; opinion: tastes great, less filling]
The Greek and Hebrew words for
"truth" are that of
"reality" and
not "logic" or
"opinion".
40. Aristotle: Sophistic Refutations
Near the beginning of his work
Sophistic Refutations, Aristotle outlines a fundamental source of deception of which he wants to investigate.
English: For, since it is impossible to argue by introducing the actual things under discussion, but we use names as symbols in the place of the things, we think that what happens in the case of the names happens also in the case of the things, just as people who are counting think in the case of their counters. But the cases are not really similar;. (Loeb#100, p. 13)
Greek: Ἐπεὶ γὰρ οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτὰ τὰ πράγματα διαλέγεσθαι φέροντας, ἀλλὰ τοῖς ὀνόμασιν ἀντὶ τῶν πραγμάτων χρώμεθα ὡς συμβόλοις, τὸ συμβαῖνον ἐπὶ τῶν ὀνομάτων καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν πραγμάτων ἡγούμεθα συμβαίνειν, καθάπερ ἐπὶ τῶν ψήφων τοῖς λογιζομένοις. Τὸ δ´ οὐκ ἔστιν ὅμοιον· Aristotle: Sophistic Refutations [165b]
41. Aristotle: Sophistic Refutations
English: For names and a quantity of terms are finite, whereas things are infinite in number; and so the same expression and the single name must necessarily signify a number of things. (Loeb#100, p. 13)
Greek: τὰ μὲν γὰρ ὀνόματα πεπέρανται καὶ τὸ τῶν λόγων πλῆθος, τὰ δὲ πράγματα τὸν ἀριθμὸν ἄπειρά ἐστιν. Ἀναγκαῖον οὖν πλείω τὸν αὐτὸν λόγον καὶ τοὔνομα τὸ ἓν σημαίνειν. Aristotle: Sophistic Refutations [165b]
The
"things" or
"meanings" can be put into a correspondence with the "
real numbers", while
"names" or "
symbols" can be put into a correspondence with the "
integers".
So, the relationship of
"things" to
"names" is that of "
infinity" to "
1". That is, there are an "
infinite" number of
"things" compared to the
"names" of those
"things". By the pigeonhole principle, there exist
"names" which have multiple
"meanings" and there can be two
"names" with the same
"meaning".
This is one source of deception whereby one uses a name in reasoning.
42. Aristotle: Sophistic Refutations
English: As, therefore, in the above illustration, those who are not clever at managing the counters are deceived by the experts, in the same way in arguments also those who are unacquainted with the power of names are the victims of false reasoning, both when they are themselves arguing and when they are listening to others. (Loeb#100, p. 13)
Greek: Ὥσπερ οὖν κἀκεῖ οἱ μὴ δεινοὶ τὰς ψήφους φέρειν ὑπὸ τῶν ἐπιστημόνων παρακρούονται, τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν λόγων οἱ τῶν ὀνομάτων τῆς δυνάμεως ἄπειροι παραλογίζονται καὶ αὐτοὶ διαλεγόμενοι καὶ ἄλλων ἀκούοντες. Aristotle: Sophistic Refutations [165b]
43. Conclusion
A
conclusion is reached through
reasoning.
Logic rules are then used to do formal reasoning which Aristotle does through syllogisms.
Dialectical reasoning omits the logic rules, leaving more room for deception.
This conclusion can be mapped back into reality as it relates to "
things". Thus, the mapping of "
things" to "
names" is an important part of the overall reasoning process.
44. Comparison of truth preferences
Jesus and Paul prefer the more pragmatic and concrete engineering outlook to reality. This is somewhat like the "Aristotelian" approach.
Some prefer the more abstract and out-of-touch with reality ways of (thinking about but not) doing things. This is somewhat like the "Platonic" approach.
Aristotle says that one tends not to reason with things but, rather, with the names of things. In doing so, there is room for deception.
Others prefer the "humanistic" or "opinion" or "good feelings" approach - that of "Protagoras": "man is the measure of all things".
45. Man as a measure
46. Reprove, refute, define
5. Sometimes, the conclusion can be directly "
refuted" by showing a counter-example. The refute Zeno's proof that motion is impossible, Diogenes is said to have gotten up and walked away, thus refuting the proof.
6. Whether or not the conclusion is refuted, one can "
reprove" the reasoning. The Greeks at the time did not have sufficient logic to actually "
reprove" Zeno's proof that motion is impossible.
7. Definitions are the key to detecting and avoiding ambiguity in reasoning, refutation and reproof.
According to Aristotle, it is not sufficient to show the deception - via refutation or reproving. If it is not immediately obvious, one should show why the deception appeared to work. That is, what was the essence of the deception.
47. Names mean things
In communication using language, words mean things. If the thing the word describes gets a not-so-good connotation, one can change to a new word that does not have that connotation or does not sound as negative.
We see this today in English.
Is it "abortion rights" or "pro-choice"?
Is it "anti-abortion" or "pro-life"?
The underlying meaning or reality has not changed, just the perceptions from the "
names".
Discussion question: What other meanings today have had word changes in your lifetime?
48. Mark 7:10-11 Corban
The same idea of meaning and word changes have been present since language began.
Mark 7:10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: [kjv]
μωυσης γαρ ειπεν τιμα τον πατερα σου και την μητερα σου και ο κακολογων πατερα η μητερα θανατω τελευτατω [gnt]
This verse is the setup for the "
euphemism" in the next verse. The word
"corban" was a way (loophole) to say that one did not need to honor any obligations to others such as father or mother.
7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. [kjv]
υμεις δε λεγετε εαν ειπη ανθρωπος τω πατρι η τη μητρι κορβαν ο εστιν δωρον ο εαν εξ εμου ωφεληθης [gnt]
How can "
oaths" be used to avoid doing what is right?
49. Mark 7:10
KJV: For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
Greek: μωσης μωυσης γαρ ειπεν τιμα τον πατερα σου και την μητερα σου και ο κακολογων πατερα η μητερα θανατω τελευτατω
Latin: Moses enim dixit honora patrem tuum et matrem tuam et qui maledixerit patri aut matri morte moriatur
Wessex: Moyses cwaeð wurðe þinne faeder & þine moder. & se þe wergeð his fader & his moder swelte se deaðe.
Gothic: moses auk raihtis qath: swerai attan theinana jah aithein theina; jah: saei ubil qithai attin seinamma aiththau aithein seinai, dauthau afdauthjaidau.
Luther: Denn Mose hat gesagt: Du sollst deinen Vater und deine Mutter ehren; und: Wer Vater oder Mutter flucht, der soll des Todes sterben:
Russian: Ибо Моисей сказал: почитай отца своего и мать свою; и: злословящий отца или мать смертью да умрет.
50. Mark 7:11
KJV: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
Greek: υμεις δε λεγετε εαν ειπη ανθρωπος τω πατρι η τη μητρι κορβαν ο εστιν δωρον ο εαν εξ εμου ωφεληθης
Latin: vos autem dicitis si dixerit homo patri aut matri corban quod est donum quodcumque ex me tibi profuerit
51. Mark 7:12-13 Tradition
Mark 7:12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; [kjv]
ουκετι αφιετε αυτον ουδεν ποιησαι τω πατρι η τη μητρι [gnt]
7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. [kjv]
ακυρουντες τον λογον του θεου τη παραδοσει υμων η παρεδωκατε και παρομοια τοιαυτα πολλα ποιειτε [gnt]
In English in the
KJV (King James Version) verse above, one has the following words which all start with the Greek prefix for "
para" as "
beyond".
"tradition"
"delivered" which is sometimes translated as "betrayed"
"such like"
These all sound somewhat different. Through tradition, the (Hebrew) word "
Corban" came to mean a way to get out of providing for ones mother and father. Using such a word sounds so much better than saying that one is not going to honor (or provide for) ones mother and father.
Apparently there were "
many such like things" that were done.
52. Mark 7:12
KJV: And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
Greek: και ουκετι αφιετε αυτον ουδεν ποιησαι τω πατρι αυτου η τη μητρι αυτου
53. Mark 7:13
KJV: Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Greek: ακυρουντες τον λογον του θεου τη παραδοσει υμων η παρεδωκατε και παρομοια τοιαυτα πολλα ποιειτε
Latin: rescindentes verbum Dei per traditionem vestram quam tradidistis et similia huiusmodi multa facitis
Wycliffe: and ye breken the word of God bi youre tradicioun, that ye han youun; and ye don many suche thingis.
Tyndale: makinge the worde of God of none effecte through youre awne tradicions which ye have ordeyned. And many soche thinges ye do.
54. Handing over tradition
55. Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill
Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill. [kjv]
ου φονευσεις [lxx]
56. End of page
Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [kjv]
ος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω [gnt]
… cum … forma … rapinam … aequalem … [v]
