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The Forum > General Discussion > What is truth

What is truth

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Ludwig,

I'm also thinking that if you asked me to give you a pipe....and I handed you a painting of a pipe - would you then consider that I had handed you a pipe?
Posted by Poirot, Thursday, 21 February 2013 10:13:22 AM
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david f,
I agree.
2+2=4 is a logical conclusion of the Peano exioms for n atural numbers, hence if you accept these, 2+2 = 4 is a statement that is formally true.
Posted by George, Thursday, 21 February 2013 10:21:39 AM
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Dear Hasbeen,

I picked that stuff up from hanging around street corners. You just haven't found the right street corners.
Posted by david f, Thursday, 21 February 2013 10:24:49 AM
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First – 42…. The answer provided by Douglas Adams. That is the correct answer (I hold no proof nor offer opinion regarding its truth).

As regards science (engineers included), these are practitioners in the skill of applying previously validated (not truthful) hypothesis/theory, through experimentation. These hypothesis/theory are then applied with the expectation results will be consistent and continue to validate the previously mentioned hypothesis/theory.

There is no ‘truth’, simply the application of knowledge to future problems. The empirical study and application of information to further expand the knowledge in each field to which knowledge is assigned. Hence, personally, why I never consider economics a science but simply an art (this is opinion, not truth).

As regards ‘the humanities’ or ‘the arts’ here, I propose, we find a body of thoughts on matters which may be described as an exploration of human thought, creativity, interaction and social structure.

Are they relevant? I would propose yes. The exploration of the universe is not and should not (in my opinion, not truth) be constrained to the physical. The impact of human thought, beliefs and social interaction on our lives suggests an understanding is required or at least worked towards (or explored for those who believe there is and never has been understanding). Why? So to better know our selves and in doing so, improve our selves. Or so I believe (again, I hold out no truth).

On Jesus. If it works for you, that is good. If it is ‘truth’ for you, so much the better. Is it universal truth? Not until the whole of the universe agrees with you.

On ‘the pipe’. I would propose each perception and attached self imposed definition leads to your own answer. Again, until the whole of the universe agrees with, it is not universal.

For the record, I feel the image depicts what may be considered a pipe but as it is an artists interpretation, it is not in fact ‘a pipe’ but a rendition of a pipe, with all that the word ‘rendition’ implies to me.
Posted by Reason, Thursday, 21 February 2013 10:53:05 AM
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One problem in talking about truth is that the word has a multiplicity of meanings. George agrees that truth as mentioned in the Bible does not mean demonstrable fact, a logical conclusion or a tautology. However, I would not deny that it is truth even though I don't subscribe to that particular truth. One problem is that some conflate the meanings and say that one kind of truth is the same as another kind of truth. Therein lies confusion.

One answer to the question, "What is truth?" is that truth is a word with many meanings.
Posted by david f, Thursday, 21 February 2013 11:41:15 AM
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I concur with Reason's line of thought.

People study humanities / the arts in order to understand what it is to be human in all of its manifestations.

If one is only concerned with the pragmatic things in the world then study the sciences or do one of the trade degrees that will get one into a job as an engineer, lawyer, architect, etc.

On the pipe dilemma: for those who know, it's just another example of semiotics. An area within humanities / the arts that most people would not tend to come into contact with during their lifetime unless they are doing anthropology, etc.
Posted by Mr Opinion, Thursday, 21 February 2013 11:48:18 AM
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