Philosopher's Corner: What is Truth?

[GenMarshall]

I would like to open up a philosophy discussion in discussing the topic of truth. To get the ball rolling, I'll put out a couple of questions.

Is truth absolute?
Do people have a right to their own version of truth?

and the mother of all

What is truth?

Please keep the discussion civil .

 

[Ayatollah So]

I find that there are two categories of philosophical statements about truth. The boring obvious statements, and the wrong statements.

What does "absolute" mean in this context? Clarify it enough, and then you'll know whether "truth is absolute" is boring and obvious, or just wrong.

 

[GenMarshall]

What does "absolute" mean in this context? Clarify it enough, and then you'll know whether "truth is absolute" is boring and obvious, or just wrong.

Absolute in this context means in a nutshell "That there is only one truth"

 

[Rik Meleet]

Truth is the logical conclusion of a given set of axiomas.

 

[Pontiuth Pilate]

I don't think I'm qualified to ask this question

[/inside Biblical joke]

 

[kulade]

Absolute Truth is the one state of reality.

Our truth is an interpretation of that based on our perception.

 

[Maimonides]

Truth is whatever I say when I'm not wrong...

 

[Ayatollah So]

Absolute in this context means in a nutshell "That there is only one truth"

Boring and obvious point number one: it's true that there's no shoe on my left foot. It's true that there's no shoe on my right foot. That's two truths. Two > one. Therefore, there is more than one truth.

 

[scy12]

I would like to open up a philosophy discussion in discussing the topic of truth. To get the ball rolling, I'll put out a couple of questions.

Is truth absolute?
Do people have a right to their own version of truth?

and the mother of all

What is truth?

Please keep the discussion civil .

Good thread

Is truth absolute?

Yes , there aren't different truths but one absolute truth.

Do people have a right to their own version of truth?

There is no human that knows the definite truth about everything
and therefor the truth can only be conquered in pieces . All humans have different minds and take a different journey to the truth. So unavoidably all people do own there own version of the general concept of truth. However relatively some are closer than others .

Now if we search for the truth for specific examples i believe the truth can be conquered even if somewhat relatively in those situations.

Two are the necessary components that are used in the search and determination of the truth. Those are : sufficient Knowledge of all parameters regarding the example and objective logic approach. Since sufficient knowledge is not always sufficient and objective logic approach is not always objective or logical enough then we can not always have the truth.



However i do believe there is a relative part of the truth that it is conquerable by "all" humans and if some of them ignore it , this hurts in my opinion human progress.

What is truth?

Truth is what anything really is rather that what we speculate it may is but isn't.

Some of the above may be the Truth or Not you are are free to disagree.

 

[Mise]

I could argue that the only "true" truth is one which is logically true. For example, two > one is a truth; that there are no shoes on Ayatollah's feet is true, but not as true as two > one.

 

[punkbass2000]

I wonder if we should expect that "Truth" could be stated so succinctly as that, if at all.

 

[Gogf]

I could argue that the only "true" truth is one which is logically true. For example, two > one is a truth; that there are no shoes on Ayatollah's feet is true, but not as true as two > one.

That's only a truth because that's how we define two, one, and greater than.

 

[Tee Kay]

"Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true." - Demosthenes.



For me, truth is what happens. If it doesn't happen, it's not true.

Do people have a right to their own version of truth?

No. They have the right to be mistaken, but not to their own version of truth, since truth is what happened, and what happened in the past doesn't change.

 

[plarq]

Truth is the configuration and momentum of every particle, i.e. it's impossible to get the absolute truth due to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. Only estimate of truth is observable, and it's important that the accuracy of estimate is limited in the very principle.

 

[aneeshm]

Truth is Brahman. All else is only relatively real, it is Maya.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Is truth absolute?

No. By the time you get to the realm wheres things are absolute, its no longer Truth, its just what IS. There are no Truths where there are no Untruths.

Do people have a right to their own version of truth?

Yes. I may not agre with your version of the truth, but I'll fight and die for your right to believe it. (well not really, Im just trying to make a point)

and the mother of all

What is truth?

Theres no such thing. Its a flawed word we're forced to use to describe something we arent capable of understanding.

Please keep the discussion civil .

Wise suggestion. I recommend a friendly game of soccer to keep everyone civil. We all know how civil soccer games are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrShK-NVMIU

 

[Narz]

In answer to CG's questions :

(1) Truth is absolute. Otherwise it wouldn't be truth.

(2) People have a right to their own version of truth as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else (including their children and pets).

(3) Truth is what is.

 

[GenMarshall]

I am surprised to see this many responses . I'll look at them later on and come up with some follow up questions .

 

[Rik Meleet]

That's only a truth because that's how we define two, one, and greater than.

You're basically saying the same thing as I did with my axioma's comment.

 

[Brighteye]

Truth is objective fact. It is absolute, in that there are no degrees of fact, nor any alternatives. If we say that a statement is partially true, we really mean that it is partly true.

Since logic is objective, a set of conclusions from a number of premises falls within this definition.

People are not entitled to their own truth, except as far as their thought is free; when it comes to decisions that affect others the law, morality and society can only accept one truth, because that is all that there is.