There is one wise saying that philosophy is a queen of all sciences. It is really true as it is very difficult to find so ancient and wise science as philosophy is. Due to philosophy and works of famous philosophers, people find explanations of the events and actions which seem inexplicable at first sight. Very often they are useful, as they help to find the reasons for different problems. A great number of the laws of philosophy find their application in life. For example, it concerns the principle or law of non-contradiction. Twenty-three leading experts examined the essence of this principle, discussing different points of view, for and against, and speaking about practical issues that appear at any time we query the authority of rational principles. The outcome of this discussion is an unbiased query into the respected rule of logic. People face this principle while making some decisions or considering any important problems. Generally speaking, this law can be regarded as one of the most essential laws of our life.
In accordance with Aristotle, the first philosophy, or in other words metaphysics is closely connected with ontology and different principles and laws. The law of non-contradiction is the most truthful and widely used. Arguments about contradictory appearances are amazingly long-lived, and discussions about skepticism, pragmatism, and anti-realism continue evoking lively discussions to this day. Except for the application of this law in everyday life, this principle also evokes tricky issues in many fields of philosophy and life, for example, issues about the commitments of people’s beliefs, their relationships and decisions. Aristotle states that people can not know a lot of things without the law. Probably, people can not find an explanation and define any things if they do not apply this law. They can not distinguish the essence of some sciences, such as mathematics or physics, and separate two things, for example, cat and human being, good or bad:
“If God does not or might not recognize the difference between B and non-B,
there is no difference between good and evil, there is no difference between
God and the Devil. Such is the nonsense to which pious irrationalism would
drive us” (Nash, 2000, p. 207).
The own separation of Aristotle between epitome and mistake would be impractical to find out. Moreover, without this principle, it would be impossible to conduct rational discussions. “The law of non-contradiction is a concept that holds several types of logic from dissolving into trivial systems. Even higher forms of logical systems like set theory and mathematics would dissolve into trivial systems if the law of non-contradiction is not taken as part of its axioms” (Priest, Beall and Armour-Garb, 2004, p. 143). According to the words of Aristotle, the law of non-contradiction is the so-called principle of methodical query, way of thinking, and statements that is impossible to do without. The mind of people is based on this principle and they use it subconsciously while distinguishing certain things and making necessary decisions. “Most constructions of the human mind tend towards completeness – witness, for example, familiar episodes in the history..” (Priest, Beall and Armour-Garb, 2004, p. 213). We use this principle practically every day, as it is part of people’s everyday struggle. Of course, here the word struggle is employed in its indirect meaning and means hesitation and difficulty while making some decisions or solving certain problems. It is a well-known fact that people are opting to contradict and hesitate, that is why this principle is so popular and widely used. Needless to say that in order to find the right and appropriate decision, people have to pass through different challenges, created by their life. These are different points of view and ideas, which can improve or vice versa contradict one’s belief. For example, when making a decision, it is necessary to state some facts in order to support the ideas. But sometimes it is rather difficult to distinguish whether these facts are correct and appropriate for making this decision or not. In this very situation, the principle of non-contradiction comes for help.
It is widely accepted from different theistic discussions that God cannot be distinguished as something or someone who can make contradictions. Nevertheless, everything made by God has to either pursue the laws of nature or contradict these natural laws. That is why people come to the conclusion that God either cannot perform the universe or He is able to make wonderful and impossible things. All these statements become the basics of the theoretical grounding for the principle of non-contradiction that nowadays is actively applied in different directions of science. There are a lot of different contradictory points of view concerning the essence of the principle of non-contradiction and its application. In our everyday life, we constantly use this law and it proves that it really works, no matter in what sphere it is applied.
Reference List
Nash, R.H. (2000). Life’s Ultimate Questions An Introduction to Philosophy. New York: Zondervan.
Priest, G., Beall, J.C., and Armour-Garb, B. (2004). The Law of Non-Contradiction. USA: Oxford University Press.