The Many Truths of Reality

Author: Critical-Tim
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Critical-Tim
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How many truths exist in reality, and is there an ultimate truth?
In this forum, I encourage you to share your Understanding and knowledge you have obtained that is relevant to the nature and origin of truth.
I would like to start off with the objective and subjective truths of reality, but you're welcome to include any other perspectives in the discussion.

We will cover the following questions to get started, but please feel free to ask new ones related to the topic:
  • How many truths are there?
  • Are any truths superior to others?
  • What if multiple truths conflict?

Please use the following guidelines to productively participate in the forum:
  • Be open-minded and curious. Do not dismiss or ignore answers that challenge your reality or beliefs. Try to embrace them as opportunities to learn and grow. Try to approach them with logical, critical, and professional minds, and seek to understand the evidence and reasoning behind them.
  • Be empathetic and respectful. Do not judge or ridicule other people’s perspectives or experiences. Try to comprehend their viewpoints and appreciate their contributions to the larger and more intricate reality. Try to see how different perspectives can form a more complex and complete picture of the world.
  • Be honest and humble. Do not claim or imply that your knowledge is superior or definitive. Try to acknowledge the limitations and uncertainties of your knowledge, and the sources and influences that shape it. Try to value words for their merits and usefulness, not for the labels or credentials of their source.
  • Be relevant and on-topic. Do not deviate from the main topic of the forum. Do not post irrelevant or off-topic comments and links that aren't productive to the questions being discussed.
  • Be constructive and creative. Do not simply criticize or reject other people’s ideas. Try to offer positive feedback, suggestions, or alternatives.
  • Be clear and concise. Try to use clear and simple language as much as possible. To have effective communication it is necessary to speak understandably.
I hope everyone enjoys this forum.

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Here are the commonly accepted frameworks of truth:
  1. Objective View: The objective view holds that there are truths and facts that exist independently of individual opinions or perspectives. These truths are considered to be universal and can be verified through empirical evidence and logical reasoning.
  2. Subjective View: The subjective view emphasizes that truth is influenced by personal opinions, feelings, and interpretations. It recognizes that different individuals may perceive the same situation differently based on their unique experiences and beliefs.
  3. Intersubjective View: Intersubjectivity acknowledges that certain truths or beliefs are not purely subjective but are shared and agreed upon by a group of individuals. It involves understanding how people collectively construct and validate their beliefs and meanings.
  4. Relativism: Relativism posits that truth and knowledge are not absolute but are relative to the context, culture, or framework in which they exist. Different societies or individuals may have their own truths that are valid within their specific cultural or historical contexts.
  5. Pragmatism: Pragmatism emphasizes the practical consequences and usefulness of beliefs and actions. According to this view, truth is not an abstract concept but is determined by its practicality and effectiveness in achieving specific goals.
  6. Constructivism: Constructivism suggests that individuals actively construct their knowledge and understanding of the world through their experiences and interactions. Truth is seen as a product of the mind's construction rather than an objective reality.
  7. Absolutism: Absolutism asserts that there are absolute and objective truths that exist independently of individual perspectives or beliefs. According to this view, certain truths are universally valid and not subject to change based on context or interpretation.
  8. Realism: Realism posits that there is an external reality that exists independently of human perceptions and beliefs. This perspective holds that objective truths can be discovered and known through scientific inquiry and observation.
  9. Nihilism: Nihilism challenges the concept of truth altogether, asserting that all beliefs and values are ultimately meaningless and without objective basis.
These various philosophical perspectives provide a framework for understanding how truth is conceptualized and perceived. Each perspective offers unique insights into the nature of reality and the role of human perception and cognition in shaping our understanding of the world.
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This is my current understanding of the nature of truth:
I believe in the coexistence of multiple independent truths, each based on a specific lens and reference system. Truth, to me, is the alignment of one system with another. For instance, True North serves as a metric for aligning with what North is. All these perspective truths remain valid in their respective contexts and do not invalidate one another. Objective truth applies when choosing materials to withstand boiling water, considering their ability to resist heat. On the other hand, subjective truth matters when choosing a gift based on personal taste, recognizing beauty's subjectivity. Perspectives on subjectivity and objectivity can coexist, like a color being subjectively beautiful while objectively holding no inherent beauty. The key is to choose the most practical truth for specific questions, understanding that each truth arises from a particular perspective and should be considered as a "prospective truth." Embracing multiple truths and appreciating their validity in different contexts is vital. Rather than seeking a universal truth, considering different perspectives leads to the most relevant and meaningful answers.

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How many truths are there?
By law of non-contradiction, there can only be one truth. Just because we dont know it, doesnt mean that it doesnt exist.

What if multiple truths conflict?
Some of them, then, must be false. Two opposite things cannot be both true.

Are any truths superior to others?
I assume there is only one truth.
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@Critical-Tim
Forgot to tag.
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@Best.Korea
How many truths are there?
By law of non-contradiction, there can only be one truth. Just because we don't know it, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.
I misspoke previously. I believe that these many truths are not in conflict with one another if they seem to disagree. For instance, person A may perceive an object as beautiful, while person B may perceive the object as ugly, while objectively the object remains void of beauty since beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The three perspectives are that one person views the object as beautiful another views it as ugly and objectively it is devoid of beauty. Each of the three views do not support or conflict with each other. Each perspective is a different aspect or lens in which to view the situation, and none are in conflict with each other even if one person views the object as beautiful and another as ugly.

What if multiple truths conflict?
Some of them, then, must be false. Two opposite things cannot both be true.
This was corrected in the paragraph above.

Are any truths superior to others?
I assume there is only one truth.
I do not believe that any one truth is superior to another, nor do I believe that any truth is more valid than another. In the same way, a teaspoon is a valid tool of measurement and so is a voltmeter. We could measure a teaspoon of sugar and then we could test it with the voltmeter, and both would give accurate metrics of what the sugar is within the aspect we are measuring it. Simultaneously, the sugar is measured as one teaspoon and it is also measured as 0 volts. Someone may perceive that the sugar cannot be zero and one at the same time, but it can within the distinct aspects it is being measured being 1 teaspoon and 0 volts. Neither truth is more valid than the other and instead they are simultaneously true within perspective. Of course, we must choose the perspective we wish to view depending on the answer we wish to receive. It may be valid to measure the volts of a teaspoon of sugar but that will not help us bake a cake. Practically we should use the teaspoon. This does not invalidate the voltmeter but instead we choose the one that is more practical given the situation. Similarly, I view the objective and subjective view of the world as simultaneously valid truths that are not in contradiction with one another, and we must practically decide which perspective is relevant to the question based on the answer we wish to receive.
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@Tarik
I'm glad you could join us early on in the forum of truth I started. Feel free to preview my stance, and I'll do my best to answer all your questions.