"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
We're all pretty well acquainted with this phrase. People have a tendency to focus on the latter portion of the Declaration of Independence's opening sentence. Nobody questions what exactly it means to be self-evident. Does it imply the existence of innate knowledge? Does something become self evident after education?
Aquinas defines two criteria in order for something to be self evident. First, it must be self evident by definition. Second, we must be cognizant of the definition. For example, according to Aquinas being a man implies rationality (this satisfies the 'by definition' standard), but one who does not know the definition of man would be unable to link the two concepts. Aquinas goes on to distinguish between universal self-evidence and narrow self evidence. Some axioms and propositions are only self evident to the wise. Aquinas justify the existence of several precepts of natural law using his definition of restrictive self evidence.
In my opinion, Aquinas' belief in self-evidence can be almost be restated by saying "So and so is apparent to me simply because I'm smarter than you or have more knowledge on the subject". His argument is pretty flimsy- using his rationale it's possible to support any claim by citing self evidence.
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I believe to be "self-evident" is a driving force within us all that sort-of programs our way of thinking. I think that a degree of self-evidence is present before education and education nurtures. It defiantly implies an existence of innate knowledge. Self-evidence is a hard word to define. I agree with Aquinas though, If you do now completely understand two things, it is impossible to properly compare/link them.
ReplyDelete"The pursuit of happiness" is also an interesting right. It only applies when under the law. Well...what if selling drugs or being polygamous makes you happy? It should really read "the pursuit of happiness while still doing what we tell you."
and is nurtured by education*
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