Final answer:
The narrator suggests using a method of reflection, observation, and reason to deduce the laws described in Chapter 7 of Ishmael, which reflects a blend of ideas from Augustine, Aquinas, and Yacob's own rationalist approach.
Step-by-step explanation:
The narrator in Chapter 7 of Ishmael by Daniel Quinn suggests a method to deduce the laws of the group using reflection, observation, and reason.
This method echoes the ideas of Augustine and Aquinas but diverges in its skepticism towards religious doctrine that doesn't align with the 'wisdom of the creator,' discerned through scrutiny of 'the order and laws of creation.'
Yacob, the character posited to represent this line of reasoning, accepts prophets like Moses but rejects miracle stories, emphasizing a rationalist approach grounded in natural law and God-established orders.
The method represents a philosophical inquiry relying on the pure intelligence and critical thinking that God has supposedly placed in every human heart.
This approach posits that through such natural reasoning, individuals can discover the truth, navigate away from false human understandings, and align closely with the supposed intent of divine creation.