Jun 25, 2009 12:08:22 PM cite

I answer your question on pages 179-184 of this philosophy book which I wrote and which I'm distributing for free. Una Tapicería De Pensamientos on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/16715330/A-Tapestry-of-ThoughtsUna-Tapiceria-De-Pensamientos-" >A Tapestry of Thoughts/Una Tapicería De Pensamientos

by Gonarthouse

Sep 16, 2008 5:53:13 PM cite

Suppose that the statement "we are not human beings having a spiritual experience but spiritual beings having a human experience" is as true as we can get in a life that is created for spiritual evolution. Further, if this experience is "created" then it is not really "real" to the way we understand and have created the word to mean. This is tough for our human linear minds. So we've created "reality." "Reality" in this existence could be considered "the focal point of reason." As humans we can understand the mental concept of reason. As a species trying to understand ourselves and others we each have a perception that tends to skew to either side of the combined collective focal point of reason, closer to or farther from depending. From this thought to answer the above question: How do we determine "truth" and "fact" when we can manufacture either? Every "thing" is manufactured. The closest we can get to the idea of "truth" and "fact" in this world is to get as close as we can to the focal point of reason knowing that we don't know everything and be o.k. knowing we're doing the best with what we've got -- at the moment -- truth is fluid. It is energy thought form ceaselessly flowing and evolving with our understanding. We think reality is the nuts and bolts something we can hold onto! When quantum physics has shown to us there is no nuts and bolts! Really! And still we need a focal point of reason to navigate this materially, illusionary existence. What a trip!

by ingridbond

Nov 11, 2007 3:08:18 PM cite

Truth by definition is subjective. What is called true by one person is perceived false by another. It can be considered that everything is both true and false as everything is but an illusion created by each individuals self delusion (Mara). It is Indian philosophy that all perceived by unenlightened individuals is illusion, illusions that we are constantly creating; one would rather see the world as one wishes to rather than as it naturally is. Wisdom and must be cultivated to see and understand what is true and false but when you become the constant gardener of your soul the truth will shine forth like a beacon to guide your way. The place to start is to strip away the veils of illusion before your eyes, the veils that you have chosen to wear. There is an answer but I cannot give it to you, it is to be found by you alone. I will give you a hint, what is truth or wisdom often comes off as nonsense and is discarded as useless by a greedy society. Nowadays who is not greedy? No wonder truth or wisdom is not easily found. Truths about the creations of man are but a sea of madness one may speculate that there is no truth there at all. However truths spoken by those who are enlightened are as a grain of rice strewn upon a beach of sand. But hey, I could be wrong but I doubt it. Billions of believers throughout thousands of years support this theory. If you are geographically challenged in your thinking read a book. Love and peace, Thai Sean

by Thai sean

Feb 25, 2007 7:35:52 PM cite

It is important to become aware that our perception is usually strongly coloured by our mind-set or our cultural conditioning or expectations. I am not saying that our perceptions are illusions, but we interprete reality always in a creative way, whether we know it or not. In a way we can say, that our perception is always to some degree distorted. If you want to get rid of the distortions one must get conscious of one's cultural conditioning, of the incessant stream of thoughts, of judgments,of feelings of liking and disliking etc.. In Yoga this process is called purification. The ability to silence the mind is one tool to sharpen one's perception, the same applies to our emotions and expectations, which as a consequence of our mind-set colour also our perception all the time. Thus truth and fact is revealing itself the more we can disentangle ourselves from our personal and cultural habits and conditioning and become a pure impersonal observer with a free unbiased intelligence at our disposal.

by Sirius

Jan 27, 2007 6:40:41 AM cite

Maybe there is no "truth" and "fact". If I smell a rose and tell you it's a daffodil, will that make you stop thinking of it as a rose? Of course not. Maybe the only universal truth is that all is a matter of percspective. This isn't all bad, though, because what we percieve becomes what we believe and therefore achieve, and if we believe in something better than what we're seeing in this world, than that is a major step in achieving the dream.

by Alsa22

Sep 14, 2006 2:35:06 AM cite

The determination can be broken down with the application of the ?Three Rules of Assessment?: You look for what is there that should not be: You look for what is not there that should be: ? And ? You leave your Ego/Agenda on a peg at the door. If you are looking for the truth/fact, or the not truth/fact, stop and check the agenda or intent of the words. Are the words meant to inform, or incite, or even impose. If necessary, be cynical, take nothing as rote if you think the words do not reflect the intent.

by RedSevenOne

Sep 14, 2006 12:13:48 AM cite

I believe that the moment one is completely sure to have determined the truth or fact of anything is also the moment when one is moving away from them. I believe both terms have meaning only when they are dynamically and objectively challenged, scrutinized and crosschecked. As a result, if the goal is to to prevent manifacturing these concepts, one must refressh thoughts, beliefs, concepts in a consistent and open minded manner On a societal level we may not have the luxury of challenging well established ,accepted and even manufactured facts as easily but I believe the socities who can are definetely closer to being a universalist civilization.

by ellfay

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