The Reed Thomist Podcast

The Thomistic Mind: Episode 12

Episode 12 — The Nature of Proof In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed explores the nature of proof, soundness, and what it means for an argument to truly establish truth. You’ll learn: • The difference between validity, truth, and soundness • Why a sound argument is the goal of logic • How Scripture provides real examples of valid but unsound reasoning • How Christ Himself uses logical proof in debate Key biblical case studies include: • The Sadducees’ argument against the resurrection (a valid but unsound argument) • Christ’s proof from Genesis defending the resurrection • Jesus’ argument about David’s Son and David’s Lord (Psalm 110) • A logical analysis of John 6 and the Bread of Life discourse This episode shows that logic is not opposed to faith—Christ reasons, proves, and exposes false assumptions using sound arguments grounded in truth.

The Thomistic Mind: Episode 11

Episode 11 — Syllogisms, Validity, and Sound Reasoning In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed continues the formal study of logic, focusing on how arguments actually work and how to evaluate them correctly. This lecture introduces: • Hypothetical syllogisms (“if–then” reasoning) • Modus Ponens and Modus Tollens, with philosophical and theological examples • Disjunctive syllogisms (“either/or” reasoning), including biblical cases • Why arguments can be valid even when their conclusions are false • The crucial distinction between validity, truth, and soundness Viewers learn why logic evaluates structure, not persuasion, and why the goal of logic is a sound argument—one with true premises and valid reasoning. The episode concludes with a Gospel example showing a valid but unsound argument about the resurrection. 🎓 Ideal for students of philosophy, theology, apologetics, and anyone seeking clear, disciplined reasoning.

The Thomistic Mind: Episode 10

Episode 10 — Logic, Arguments, and Validity In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed continues the formal study of logic itself, focusing on how reason evaluates arguments and discovers truth. This lecture explains: • What an argument is (premises and conclusion) • Why logic is reason examining itself • The difference between truth and validity • Why valid arguments can have false premises • What fallacies are (formal and informal) • Why invalid reasoning does not automatically mean a false conclusion Logic is not about opinion or persuasion—it is the disciplined study of whether conclusions actually follow from the reasons given. Viewers are introduced to valid vs. invalid arguments, classical examples (including Aristotle and St. Paul), and the foundational role of deductive reasoning. The episode concludes with an introduction to the syllogism, one of the most powerful tools in philosophy, theology, and clear thinking.

The Thomistic Mind: Episode 9

Episode 9 — Starting the Basics of Logic In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed begins formal instruction in logic by explaining what arguments are and why they matter. Logic is not debate, persuasion, or emotion—it is the disciplined study of reason ordered toward truth. This lecture introduces: • What an argument is (premises and conclusion) • The difference between proof and persuasion • Why false beliefs are not the same as lies • The distinction between statements and other kinds of sentences • Why most important beliefs require reasons Logic trains us to evaluate whether our conclusions truly follow from our reasons—especially in philosophy, theology, and everyday reasoning.

The Thomistic Mind: Episode 08

Episode 8 — Why Study Logic? The Laws of Thought & Christian Doctrine In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed continues the classical discussion of logic and Christian belief, beginning with an important review of key distinctions that are essential for understanding logic rightly. Review: Logic and God This episode opens by clarifying several foundational distinctions: • Order of knowing vs. order of being — Logic is first in how we know; God is first in what is. God is not under human reason, but our knowledge about God is judged by logic. • There is no “God’s logic” vs. “human logic” — Logic is logic. A contradiction is a contradiction for everyone. Statements about God must be logical, even though God Himself is not judged by logic. • Logically impossible vs. humanly impossible — Logical absurdities are not things at all and therefore are not objects of divine power. • Prescriptive vs. descriptive laws — Miracles may suspend laws of nature (descriptive laws) but never violate the laws of logic (prescriptive laws). Do Christian Doctrines Involve Contradictions? The episode then addresses a common objection: Are Christian teachings logically contradictory? Dr. Reed shows that revealed mysteries are not contradictions, because contradictions require something to be and not-be at the same time and in the same sense. • God is three in Person, one in Being • Christ is two in nature, one in Person • Human freedom and divine predestination are compatible when eternity and time are properly distinguished The Three Laws of All Thought The lecture concludes with an introduction to the three fundamental laws of logic, which govern all thinking: 1. The Law of Non-Contradiction — A thing cannot be A and not-A at the same time and in the same sense 2. The Law of Excluded Middle — A statement is either true or not true 3. The Law of Identity — What is, is; truth is truth Through clear examples and everyday illustrations, the episode shows why difference, partial truth, or mystery are not the same as contradiction—and why these laws are unavoidable in every act of thought. This episode lays critical groundwork for all future study in logic, philosophy, theology, and the defense of truth.