Agnosticism is epistemologically self-contradictory on its own assumptions because its claim to make no assertion about ultimate reality rests upon a most comprehensive assertion about ultimate reality.
Cornelius Van TilRead
To admit one's own presuppositions and to point out the presuppositions of others is therefore to maintain that all reasoning is, in the nature of the case, circular reasoning. The starting-point, the method, and the conclusion are always involved in one another.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that understanding one's own beliefs and those of others reveals the interconnectedness of reasoning.
Cornelius Van Til's statement emphasizes the idea that all reasoning is circular, meaning that our starting beliefs, methods of thinking, and conclusions are intimately connected. By acknowledging our own presuppositions and recognizing those of others, we can become more aware of the foundational beliefs that shape our reasoning processes, suggesting that true objectivity is difficult to achieve.
Themes
ReasoningPresuppositionsCircularPhilosophyBeliefs
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about ethics, one might use this quote to highlight the biases in moral reasoning.
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