Some Reflections on Logic and Transcendence

It is sometimes argued that the very existence of a notion of validity of logical
inference on which all rational persons should agree is an indication of the existence of something transcendent. It has also been argued that logic can be used in order to demonstrate the problematic status of naturalism and even the existence of God provided that certain basic assumptions are taken for granted. In this paper, I shall consider these arguments, and I shall show that there are valid versions of these arguments. However, it will also be demonstrated that it will be possible for the atheist to find a way out, since all the arguments pointing to the existence of something transcendent are based on premises, which may in principle be rejected. The atheist must, however, take the validity of these arguments into account, when he seeks to establish his worldview – assuming that he wants his worldview to be logically consistent.