Sep 12, 2006 12:28:12 PM cite

Although 'truth' always remains relative to the context in which it is manufactured, according to Wittgenstein's Language Games, agreement should be possible on topics that are independent of metaphysical assumptions that divide us all. A public discussion of experts should guarantee a correct procedure for accepting true statements. Misuse of the power of knowledge must be prevented.

by michielvanelk

Sep 9, 2006 8:26:06 PM cite

Pragmatically, truth only has relevance if it is applied to the reality of the world in which we all live. Today, with the ability of governments and vast corporate empires to manipulate and control the "factual" elements that cummulatively lead to truth, it is very difficult for the average individual to discern truth from fiction. The only way to be able within reasonable certainty to determine fact and ultimately truth is to insist on a continued, unfettered, democratizing flow of ideas and exchange of information. Forums like this one, in which the entire world can engage in free dialogue without the "spin" of biased and controlling media conglomerates and governments, will inexorably lead to the discovery and differentiation of fact from fiction, truth from falsehood.

by rmfoley

Sep 9, 2006 6:16:04 PM cite

From: http://professortangent.org/logic.shtml#truth Truth and logic are subject to certain restrictions and preconditions. It's often said that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but if you walk from your house to a neighbors house, you're really walking on the surface of the earth (a sphere), so traveling a truly straight line might require burrowing through the earth. This might be the shortest distance, but is not the most efficient in terms of travel time or required effort. We might amend the old adage to say that it's only practical on a flat surface. Even then we might want to further clarify what "flat" really means, since the limits of our perception might make us think we're on a flat surface when we really aren't. After all, the earth can sometimes appear flat to us unless we observe it from space, or in relationship to the sun, moon, or other objects apart from the earth. Apart from carefully defined conditions, be very skeptical of any claims of variations in "truth". A good test of questionable claims would be to look for practical applications of the alternate "truth". If someone claims that "For me, 2+2=5. That's my reality", put that claim to a practical test. You get a stack of $2 bills, and have the other person get a stack of $5 bills. You give the other person a $2 bill, then another $2 bill, and in return you get a $5 bill. Keep the exchange going all day.

by wayanr

Sep 9, 2006 4:51:22 PM cite

While I believe there are some absolute truths, they are not the same as I would have identifies 2,3,5 years ago. The circumstances and experiences of my life has shaped my understanding and belief. Therefore most 'truth' is relative and even the empirical facts of science change as mood requires (Pluto is a planet, Pluto isn't a planet).

by everydayaction

Sep 9, 2006 3:33:56 PM cite

By determination of any kind.

by AvB

Sep 9, 2006 3:20:00 PM cite

Antoschka - Ekaterina Moshaeva: We should develop our ability to think and expand our knowledge. We should learn and develop our mental and intellectual abilities. Then we would be able to differ whether it is truth or lie. Even when I was a small girl, when I was five years old ... We all see, we all possess truth inside of us. This truth is inherent in our human nature, it´s a quality given us by God. And if we faithfully ask ourselves whether it is truth or not – not only to salve our conscience – we should get the true answer. Because the true answer is inherent in our human nature. And everything, everything what occurs outside ... There are many forces and instruments which can change our values and internally destabilise us because human values are being changed. But we must respect ourselves and perceive ourselves as creatures of God who are able to decide, to find answers to all questions and to avoid seducement. If somebody forces you to think or to do something and you are fully obedient – you follow any fanatic leader, hysterical propaganda or fashion trends without using your intuition and mind as well as without measuring the situation with such criteria as goodness and honesty – then you are always victim of these influences.

by Antoschka - Ekaterina Moshaeva

Sep 9, 2006 3:20:00 PM cite

Abbas Beydoun: I think that nowadays we try to determine many things, but I do not want to define truth and fact, rather I would like to manufacture them. I realize that there are proper times for fact and truth sometimes changes, but manufacturing them is worrisome. We live now in the world which changes gradually to be false, even there will not be difference between cinema movie and this world. We should manufacture fact and supply it with different and renewed legends, which mean that people will become like machines.

by Abbas Beydoun

Sep 9, 2006 3:20:00 PM cite

Alvaro Restrepo:

by Alvaro Restrepo

Sep 9, 2006 3:20:00 PM cite

Ana Lucy Bengochea:

by Ana Lucy Bengochea

Sep 9, 2006 3:20:00 PM cite

Andries Botha: Ebon, when we manufacture truth and fact, it no longer is that. And of course truth might be something which is defined relevant to yourself and cannot hold as absolute to other people. So, truth is nothing that exists outside of yourself. It exists inside of yourself, and it’s a set of governing principles that needs to resonate within rather than outside. The moment we manufacture it of course it ceases - it’s an instrument where facts are manipulated and presented as truth. We know how often that happens.

by Andries Botha

Sep 9, 2006 3:20:00 PM cite

Angaangaq Lyberth: Answertext will be available soon.

by Angaangaq Lyberth

Sep 9, 2006 3:20:00 PM cite

Anthony Arnove: I think this is one question that I am going to leave to others to answer.

by Anthony Arnove

Sep 9, 2006 3:20:00 PM cite

Anuradha Mittal: Well, in India in my culture, we believe in Satyameva Jayate, that is truth will always live. So actually truth cannot be manufactured; facts can be manufactured but truth cannot be manufactured. Facts can be manufactured, for example, a certain country has weapons of mass destruction; therefore, we need to go in and invade that country. But in terms of the truth that people will be free because freedom cannot be denied. It cannot be taken away. The fact that Palestine will be framed is again a truth that cannot be denied. The fact that there is enough food to feed everyone in the world is actually a truth. You know the thing that genetic engineering is the solution towards hunger; that’s a fact that has been manufactured by the corporations, but it is not the truth. So, truth is something that cannot be denied. Facts can be manufactured over and over again, and we know news media does that. It does it very well. It is not in the business of just reporting and providing us the news. It has gotten into the business of manufacturing news for us, but at the end of the day I do believe truth prevails because Satyameva Jayate.

by Anuradha Mittal

Sep 9, 2006 3:20:00 PM cite

Ashok Gangadean: I think this question is profound. Because we don’t realize what we call fact is a function of our mental lens and our consciousness. And even in science, where we allege we are getting at the facts we now know that science has a certain lens, a certain way of processing reality. We also know from our great wisdom traditions that what we perceive as real and true is a function of our consciousness and the lens we are using. And if we are in an egocentric or an ego-based way of consciousness, what appears to us, including ourselves and all of the world around us, as reality and fact and truth, is tinted and colored by that lens of our consciousness or our culture, our world view. And now we are more aware of that. And in that sense it's now recognizable, that what we call fact and truth is a function of the lens we are using. And so facts are in effect, artifacts, manufactured by us. So, I think there is profound point picked up in this question. About, if we manufacture “fact” and “truth,” how can we determine real truth? But at the same time, our great global traditions have taught us that there really is objective reality. When we step back from our localized lens of a particular culture and world view and cross into a more integral deep space of an awakened global consciousness, we have a deeper trance in the dilated lens of the mind to encounter reality more authentically as it is. And, there is indeed a truth of objective reality, if we can bring our minds into deeper concert with it. So, I think, this question for me is challenging us to realize that if we are in a more narrow restricted lens of the mind, we are going to get an artificial “truth,” an artificial “fact.” And that there is a pathway to go deeper to authentic global facts and global truths that are more grounded and inscribed within reality, as our consciousness learns the deeper ways of getting in touch with this fundamental truth.

by Ashok Gangadean

Sep 9, 2006 3:20:00 PM cite

Audrey Kitagawa: Well, if truth and fact are manufactured, then it is not truthful or factual. The problem is that truth is and facts are, and they are not subject to being manufactured, but it is in the process of being manufactured that distortions occur. And ultimately the march of time and the need for people to actually be able to ascertain truth will help to uncover what truth is and what facts are. So facts really speak to objectified evidence, and truth speaks to a moral quality of honesty, credibility, and both ultimately, I believe, will be uncovered over time. Because people ultimately embrace truth. They embrace honesty. And they seek to dispel any manufacturing of lies. So I think the human spirit ultimately will prevail and true stories ultimately will be told.

by Audrey Kitagawa