Law of Non-Contradiction
The law of non-contradiction is a fundemental law, which can be used in our daily lives. This law can provide truth, regardless of physical objects, philosophy, religion, or action. I wanted to share this law, in hopes to provide another tool for your critical thinking skills.
Before we jump in the Law of Non-Contradiction, I want to cover some terminology.
Truth is a central topic involving philosophy and ethics. At its core, truth is the body of real things, events, and facts. Another term that can be used for truth is actuality.
Truth Claim is any official announcement that is affirmed or asserted to be true. It does not have to be true to be a truth claim. It is merely being claimed as truth.
Now to move on with the Law of Non-Contradiction.
The Law of Non-Contradiction (Law of N-C) states that “no statement can be both true and false at the same exact time.”
The law allows us to figure out what is True and what is False. This is important in allowing us to tell a truth from a lie, without it, we can never know the difference. The definition of a lie is something contradicting the truth. Another way to define a lie is to be a false statement.
I hear someone claim, ‘My Truth’ and ‘Your Truth’, conveying both are ‘True.’ This is a false narrative and a lie. What they are really doing is proclaiming ‘My Truth Claim’ and ‘Your Truth Claim.’ Keep this in mind, when we know a ‘Truth Claim’ does not have to be true, it is only claimed to be true. You have to discern the truth, rather than just accept a claim. One way to do this is critical thinking with the Law of Non-Contradiction.
Moving on.
We see this non-contradiction law used daily in our lives. A prime example is police work, asking for alibis on two individuals. An alibi is the location a person was during a specific time. By questioning, it will check locations at the same ‘exact time’. If both parties claim truth, but one found different than the other, a lie has been stated. Further investigation is needed to find the truth from the lie. Another way to view this is, if the situation or ideas are in opposition of one another, a contradiction is made.
Examples of contradictions are “the gentle torturer”, “a snowy summer’s day”, “the towering midget”, “a loving abuser”, and so on.
This same principle can be applied to all news given to us. We can also use this Law of Non-Contradiction to defend truth claims.
This law of non-contradiction was introduced to us by Aristotle. According to Aristotle, without the law of non-contradiction, we could not know anything we do know. The principle of non-contradiction was primarily discussed in Aristotle’s writing and occurs in Metaphysics IV (Gamma) 3–6, especially 4.
This law is one of three laws of logical thought.
The three laws include the following:
The law of identity: P is P.
The law of noncontradiction: P is not non-P.
The law of the excluded middle: Either P or non-P.
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Logic is the study of the anatomy and physiology of arguments. We use logic for reasoning conducted or assessments based on strict principles of validity. This helps us accept one idea or proposition over another.
Again, this law states that “A cannot be both A and non-A at the same time and in the same relationship. We can apply A to anything and utilize this law.
Let’s say A is a specific object, chickens. Animals would be the relationship for chickens. Therefore, Chickens cannot be Chickens and at the same time be Dogs within the same relationship. Chickens and Dogs are both animals, but not the same relationship. Chickens are fowls, where dogs are canines. If someone would say chickens are the same as for dogs during the same time, that is a contradiction and false.
A better example is women and pregnancy. You cannot be pregnant while not being pregnant at the same time. While this is a simplified example, other harder scenarios can make it more difficult to utilize the law of non-contradiction. However, listening to the argument and identifying a contradiction is important, regardless of the topic. Once you identify the contradiction, you can ask, allowing the presenter to stop and reconsider what is being proposed.
Interesting to me is the concept of using the law of non-contradiction while reviewing religion or belief systems. Faith and reason belong together. We need to remain sharp with our critical thinking skills and can utilize the law of non-contradiction toward a given doctrine. Therefore, we should not accept contradictory scriptures as being equally true.
Moreover, cognitive dissonance lives in this law. Cognitive dissonance is defined as the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change.
It is possible to evaluate contrary truth on two different subjects. However, it is impossible for our minds to hold two contrary beliefs at the same time. When we are presented with contrary evidence against our held belief, we become distressed. If that belief is very deep, our distress increases as contradictory evidence is presented.
This is why you see such emotional reaction, even anger to the point of violence at times, when evidence shows to be a contradiction with firmly held beliefs.
Some cultures may not even accept the law of non-contradiction. If that is the case, cross-cultural discussion cannot be made. This law is a law of logical reason accepted in the United States and other western societies. Attempting to discuss beliefs with those not accepting this law, will be very difficult.
Culture is defined as the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group. This can be a small group within a larger country or a larger identifying trait for the whole country. It boils down to the specific way of life, through customs and beliefs.
This law can be applied to all forms of physicality, beliefs, and actions.