Philosophy, in its simplest form, is a pursuit of Truth, but how do we pursue Truth living in an ever-changing society.
What is Truth? Why Truth? Whose Truth? How to pursue? Let’s explore…
What is Truth?
Truth, (in Metaphysics) the property of sentences, assertions, beliefs, thoughts, or propositions that are said, in ordinary discourse, to agree with the facts or to state what is the case.
An objective Truth is absolute regardless of our opinion, perception or understanding. Truthfulness of it lies on the “object” itself and not the “subject” (observer).
However, a subjective truth, is relative; here truthfulness lies on the “subject” or observer; (one’s perception).
“There are no facts, only interpretations.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche
Now, let us dwell upon subjective truth in its depth.
Subjective Truth is as one perceives it. It is the perception that plays dominant role in the pursuit of subjective truth. What is Perception?
“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” ― Aldous Huxley
Perception is a dynamic conflict between:
The attempts of an outer world to impose an actuality on us (and) Our efforts to transform this actuality into a self-centered perspective.
So in a world of Relativism & Perspectivism, our perception is greatly hijacked through ‘Perception deception’.
Some Factors attributing to Perception Deception:
- Obscurantism – the practice of deliberately preventing the facts or full details of something from becoming known
- Indoctrination – the process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically
- Selective Perception – the process by which we perceive what we want to hear in a message while ignoring opposing viewpoints
- Conformity – a type of social influence involving a change in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a group
- Dogma – a phenomenon in which principles or rules that cannot be questioned, or articles of faith in different religions
(definitions as derived from net)
The list goes on.
With ‘too much information overload’, it becomes extremely challenging to know what Truth is. As the saying goes ‘We don’t see the world as it is, we see it as we are‘, our own cognitive biases (or distortions) make it even more challenging. Therefore, we are mere victims of ‘Perception Deception’ (not by choice but by our circumstantial world around).
So do we really need to quest for Truth or settle with ‘Ignorance is bliss’?
Why Truth?
“The pursuit of truth is not important. The pursuit of that truth is important which helps you in reaching your goal that is provided you have one.” – Ayn Rand
In the quest for Truth, we:
- Realize the power of our Analytical mind
- Transcend our existence
- See relevance, applicability, and patterns
- Practice Pragmatism
- Avoid being Bigot
- Maintain Integrity within self
- Appreciate other’s perspectives from their frame of reference
- Develop an open mind
- Don’t get intimidated in discussions
& many more…
Whose Truth?
Each of us is on our own independent journeys in the quest for truth. This could not have been conveyed better than these quotes could:
‘You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.’
– Friedrich Nietzsche
‘You and I are fundamentally different and both of us have to march to our own drummer’
– David Keirsey (Please understand me)
“No one can construct for you the bridge upon which precisely you must cross the stream of life, no one but you yourself alone.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
Therefore, “The quest for truth must be carried out by each person individually. It is like breathing, something which no one else can do for us.”
How?
All of us often mistake truth with popularity. As said by an Ex-Facebook executive ‘Social media is ‘ripping apart’ society’. Perception deception explains how our perception is greatly manipulated through the information we receive.
“I don’t know” is an opportunity, is a possibility
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
By accepting that we know nothing, we open ourselves up to the potential of learning (about us & the world around us) and seeking truth rather than fitting into our current belief system.
To seek, explore, analyze & understand everything without judging or accepting (In between acceptance and unacceptance, is where you understand)
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” – Aristotle
We have to seek, not believe. Through ‘believe’ we accept and shut the doors for other viewpoints or perspectives. Through ‘seek’ we open up ourselves to all perspectives without judging any. Seeking does not have any endpoint.
