Philosophy of Truth

We once believed this world to be flat, the majority would agree today, that it's not. I believe truth, in its purest form, arrives at moments in time when facts are presented in such a manner, that even the most critical of adversaries are compelled to draw forth pen and parchment, and draft articles of agreement. Our Forefathers believed they were in this "moment", when they drafted the infamous preamble: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. The Declaration of Independence 1776,

Those self-evident truths have since that moment, seen some trials and tribulations. America has re-defined, through amendments to our constitution: all men, to include people of color and gender. It would now appear self-evident, that consensus among a few, does not always establish truth, regardless of the moment in which it is presented. I believe truth is relative, often defined, only in small groups, and can at times be holistic. Quite often, small groups are confronted with the relative nature of these truths, outside the group.

Relative truth, I define as: an actionable agreement, between a limited group. When it ceases to be actionable within the group, it is no longer true. Holistic truth is, uncontroversial on a factual basis, and effects all groups. I believe all truth is time relative. In politics and religion, holistic truth is complicated by the numerous and varied groups. Politics, largely a social-philosophical instrument, can establish relative truths in large and small groups. Religion a social-spiritual concept, has a far more difficult burden establishing truth in large groups, and stumbles in transition. The very essence of religion is founded in beliefs, compounded by disagreements. Politics pales in comparison, to the dissension found in religion. No other attempt to define truth has been so dissected, so varied, and at times, so convoluted. These "truth seekers", can only hold to group specific truths and fail in the majority of attempts at agreement outside these groups.

While most religions hold to similar theologies, it is in the specifics where agreement stumbles. No other group has more desire for, or more to gain from holistic truth than religion. However, I believe these truth seekers have no desire for pure truth. Truth premised on facts, is for scientists, historians, and philosophers. Religion seeks truth by interpretation and condemnation. Religion and its multitude of sects stake exclusive claim to truth. Truth in hand, religion has spent thousands of years of limbo counting the nay sayers, and moving further away from whatever truth remains untarnished, by the iron of its own will.

Truth is a living, breathing and curious child, who rides upon her illusive and relentless father: Time. She is prone to speak her mind and refuses to gaze unto the pages of any one book for long. Ornate buildings, dressed in colored glass and gold, could never shackle this fairest of maidens. She is free, and only when men are bound together by the possibly they know not of her, does she sing. Truth arrives in the moment a belief reaches consensus and lingers until the time comes she is no longer needed. She never overstays her welcome and seldom visits her namedroppers. She rarely makes bold entrances, but she's never far away. If you listen, very quietly, far away from the trumpet blowers and ear ticklers, you may just hear her sing. Tell me, can you hear her? JM