La fe y la lógica del testimonio

• Published in: Scripta Theologica
• Main Author: Francisco Conesa
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Navarra 2018
• Subjects: Artide
• Online Access: https://revistas.unav.edu/index.php/scripta-theologica/article/view/15235; https://doi.org/10.15581/006.26.15235

The artide analyzes one of faith's dimensions -its assertive or propositional character- and investigates its epistemological value. The study begins by considering the importance of the propositional aspect of faith, which acts as guarantee of its salvific character. The acceptance of a doctrine as true is not something external to belief nor posterior to the act of faith, but is rather a part of the very structure of faith. In effect, the acceptance of the propositions of faith works what may be termed «the logic of testimony»: we accept the truths because they have been pronounced by someone in whom we have reasonable confidence. We believe something because we believe in someone and believe him. In the second section the epistemological value of assent is studied, taking into account the contributions of analytical philosophy on the subject of knowledge through testimony. Importance is given to testimony as the only form of gaining knowledge about a person, for we do not have access to a person's intimacy without the free testimony of that person about himself. Subsequently the analogy between divine revelation and human testimony is developed. God is interiority par excellence, the personal and sovereing being whose mystery may be known only through testimony, i.e., through a spontaneous confiding, which we ought to believe. The acceptance of the di vine testirriony -revelation- is a reasonable act. Once again the analysis of language pro ves useful in explaining the concept of «reasons for believing». Analysis shows that the reasons for accepting revelation's contents as true are, aboye all, the reasons for believing in God and believing him. The study condudes by underlining that faith is a peculiar form of human knowledge, when man is confronted by God's revelation. This knowledge is the result of a rationally justified decision, and has for its object God, who reveals himself. Such a knowledge is not epistemologically inferior to, though it is distinct fram, scientific knowledge. 1. La fe como ...