In the Roman Catholic Church, the claim that statements on matters of faith or morals, made by a pope speaking ex cathedra (Lat from the throne), or by a General Council if confirmed by the pope, are guaranteed the assistance of the Holy Spirit (ie free from error). The claim is rejected by Protestants, for whom only God and the word of God are infallible.
Infallibility, from Latin origin (in, not + fallere, to deceive), is a term with a variety of meanings related to knowing truth with certainty.
In common speech
When a statement, teaching, or book is called infallible, this can mean any of the following:
It is something that is certainly true It is something that can be safely relied onWhen a person is called infallible, this can mean any of the following:
Some statements or teachings made by this person can be relied on to be certainly true All statements or teachings made by this person can be relied on to be certainly true All information believed by this person is true This person is free from flaws or defects, especially of a moral natureThese definitions differ widely.
Furthermore, infallibility can refer to the absence of error or to the inability to err.
Infallibility is sometimes used to refer to someone's ability to learn something with certainty.
In psychology and sociology
Infallibility is inseparable from human nature as a result of the aspect of the human condition called self-awareness.
Bank transactions are an example of this.
In philosophy
Philosophy is concerned with the question of what, if anything, humans can know.
Some philosophical schools denying that people can know anything;
The German critical rationalist philosopher Hans Albert presented a logical argument that fallibilism is ubiquitous and inevitable, even in the fields of mathematics and logic.
Other philosophical schools agree that people can know things with certainty.
In theology
Christianity
A standard work, "The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church", defines infallibility as 'Inability to err in teaching revealed truth'. Many Christians maintain that the Church is infallible, but disagree as to where infallibity exists, whether in doctrines, scripture, or church authorities: see Infallibility of the Church, Papal infallibility, Biblical infallibility and Biblical inerrancy.
Semantic notes
In Roman Catholic theology, only the actual act of teaching is properly called "infallible".
According to the First Vatican Council (1870-71) and as reaffirmed at Vatican II (1963-1965) the Pope is infallible when speaking ex cathedra on matters of faith and morals.
Infallibility does not refer to the inability to sin (impeccability), or to the personal holiness of a person, although it is occasionally misunderstood in that sense.
Islamic Beliefs
Universal teachings
In Islamic theology, the widely held belief is that the prophets of Allah were infallible in the sense that all statements or teachings made by them can be relied on to be certainly true and all information believed by them is also true.
Additional Shi'a teachings
In Shi'a theology, the belief is that the Ahl al-Bayt, including Muhammad, and his daughter Fatima Zahra are all infallible. It is believed that they are infallible in the sense that all statements or teachings made by them can be relied on to be certainly true, that all information believed by themselves is true, and that they are free from flaws or defects, in a sense, perfect creation.
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