Presuppositions indicate without shame the epistemological, deep preconceptions of where we have meanings.

Presuppositions are different from paradigms or pre-understanding or bias – it has some overlaps with paradigm, but not same as presupposition. When problems we face can’t be addressed by current paradigm, we change paradigms. Move from Earth being center of universe with Sun being center of the universe. Kuhn says this is a paradigm shift. We can advance a theory – here’s the data, here’s the best theory. This is very close to a presupposition.

Presuppositions are looking for one’s heart commitment. One’s heart doesn’t just have rules to interpret, it has religious commitments… Kuhn came into his insights as he read Acts 9 – Paul’s change of paradigm as he met Christ.

It is telling how Van Til understands Presupposition – Christian theism presupposes. In Scripture, the triune God speaks to man and it is at the person of Jesus Christ where we begin to make predication. We identify him as true and in this way, there can only be two presuppositions: Christian and non-Christian. Though the non-Christian knows God, he suppresses the truth.

When we look at presupposition there are two perspectives:
1) it is a belief, a commitment that takes precedence over all others, as such it has the character of faith (knowledge, belief, trust) (subjective).
2) it is the truth (objective)

Reasoning in Circles
You presuppose it because it is the truth. You will be reasoning in circles. If you believe of something ultimate, there will be some place where you will reach a circular reasoning. If there is some ultimate, in order for it to be ultimate – it must be circular.

EXAMPLE. If money is ultimate, then you will reason in a circle. It is true of any argument. Reasoning in a circle is not arguing in a circle. Reasoning in a circle is a tautology. We reason in a non-vicious circle.