If you watch billiards, the balls move around the table due to very strict rules of nature. But which ball moves is reasoned, or chosen, by the player.
PICTURE: Dan Burton/Unsplash
Not too long ago, people thought reason was behind everything – the sun decided to rise, waves decided to break, rocks decided to roll, based on their nature.
It was William of Ockham who mainstreamed the idea that all things, objects and animals, adhere to very strict rules of nature. Objects to physics, animals to biology.
This belief actually disenchanted nature. No-one had to believe in animal and rock spirits any more. It was the end of superstition.
Only one animal could reason, decide – humanity. That’s because humanity had been made in the image of God, who was the ultimate Reason behind everything.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.
