The Theology and Ministry Program of the School of Humanities invites you to the oral defense of the M.A. Thesis entitled “PARACONSISTENT LOGIC AND ITS PLACE IN THEOLOGY: The Metaphysics of the Incarnation as a Case In Point” by VINCENT RAY M. DAUT (Diocese of Marbel) on 30 April 2025, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. at the Tipanan ni San Ignacio, DLC 201, 2/F Dela Costa Bldg., Loyola School of Theology. The Board of Examiners is composed of Fr. Oliver Dy, S.J., S.T.D., Ph.D. (Adviser), Wilhelm Patrick Joseph Strebel, Ph.D. (Second Reader/Principal Examiner), Fr. Marcos Louis Catalan, Jr., S.J., Ph.D., and Fr. Rowan Rebustillo, S.T.D., Ph.D. The defense is being held in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Theological Studies specializing in the field of Systematic Theology. It is open to the public.
Abstract: This thesis provides an in-depth examination of how paraconsistent logic can be applied to address theological problems. It starts with a logical prolegomenon by contrasting classical logic with paraconsistent logic, highlighting how paraconsistent logic prevents logical explosion from any contradictions (φ ∧ ¬φ) by rejecting modus ponens, a rule valid in classical logic. The focus then shifts to a metaphysical and logical analysis of the doctrine of the Incarnation. The claim that Christ is both fully human and fully divine, as defined by the Council of Chalcedon, presents a significant ontological dilemma, as these two natures are inherently incompatible and mutually exclusive according to classical logic: On the one hand, human nature is defined by finitude, mutability, and moral fallibility, and divine nature is understood as infinite, immutable, and morally impeccable, on the other. In this regard, the study applies paraconsistent logic to this “contradictory” Christology (Jc Beall), presenting key arguments why this new approach deserves significant philosophical and theological consideration. The study also responds to some objections raised against paraconsistent logic as applied to the theology of the Incarnation.
