What is Objective Truth

[China Cat Sunflower]

Pragmatic truth. I like that!

Chris

[RubySera_Martin]

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

I mean, let's not be dorks, everyone knows what truth is unless we start splitting hairs and try to force philosophical concepts into the mundane realm.

Chris

So there is philosophical concept truth and there is mundane realm truth? That answers that question but raises a whole new set of questions.

1. Exactly why would we ever want to talk about the philosophical concept truth? I mean, philosophy has to have some connection with real life even if extremely remote. I see none here. Obviously, the ancient philosophers were talking about the philosophical concept and so was Jesus. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

2. This statement of Jesus' has never made sense to me and it makes even less sense now. I have absolutely no idea what the philosophical concept of truth is or means or refers to.

And yes, I am a dork--though that is not a word I grew up with and I have no idea what a dork is. Actually, yes, I do if you add "ing." Dorking is the name of the hamlet closest to my one brother's farm. There you go--this whole thing ties together. Though I still don't know what philosophical concept truth is or what it might have to do with real life.

[RubySera_Martin]

Hey Juantoo, where are you? There are mighty concepts being derived from your weighty posts of recent writing. One would think you would like to be part of the process.

Thanks, everyone, this clarifies a lot for me--well, except for this thing about philosophical concepts.

[China Cat Sunflower]

Originally Posted by RubySera_Martin

So there is philosophical concept truth and there is mundane realm truth? That answers that question but raises a whole new set of questions.

1. Exactly why would we ever want to talk about the philosophical concept truth? I mean, philosophy has to have some connection with real life even if extremely remote. I see none here. Obviously, the ancient philosophers were talking about the philosophical concept and so was Jesus. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

2. This statement of Jesus' has never made sense to me and it makes even less sense now. I have absolutely no idea what the philosophical concept of truth is or means or refers to.

And yes, I am a dork--though that is not a word I grew up with and I have no idea what a dork is. Actually, yes, I do if you add "ing." Dorking is the name of the hamlet closest to my one brother's farm. There you go--this whole thing ties together. Though I still don't know what philosophical concept truth is or what it might have to do with real life.

What is philosphical truth? It's an abstract concept loosley based on "pragmatic" truth that people with extra time on thier hands sit around and think about. I guess we're looking for is a really big metaphysical truth that explains everything in terms of a single, huge, organized process.

A dork is kind of like an adolescent fool.

Chris

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

What is philosphical truth? It's an abstract concept loosley based on "pragmatic" truth that people with extra time on thier hands sit around and think about. I guess we're looking for is a really big metaphysical truth that explains everything in terms of a single, huge, organized process.

A dork is kind of like an adolescent fool.

Chris

The GUT of Metphysics, eh? I figured you for a pragmatic kind of guy.

How's the golf? My hub is working at the US Open this week! Ooops, that's a derailment. Sorry!

luna

[RubySera_Martin]

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

What is philosphical truth? It's an abstract concept loosley based on "pragmatic" truth that people with extra time on thier hands sit around and think about. I guess we're looking for is a really big metaphysical truth that explains everything in terms of a single, huge, organized process.

Chris

Okay. That fits the picture.

A dork is kind of like an adolescent fool.

So does this. (There was supposed to be a smiling face here. I guess I don't know how to attach them.)

LATER: lol!!!!! I see the smiling face got onto the bar at the top of the post.

[China Cat Sunflower]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

The GUT of Metphysics, eh? I figured you for a pragmatic kind of guy.

How's the golf? My hub is working at the US Open this week! Ooops, that's a derailment. Sorry!

luna

He's at the Open? GRRRRRRR! No really, I'm happy for him... Oh, I'm still shooting low 90's. It's blow up holes. You know, taking three to get out of the bunker, trying to be a hero instead of taking a drop. I just gotta tighten up and be more consistent.

O.K., back to the topic.

I think that there is a unified process behind everything but I can't prove it. I don't think it's possible to come up with a single system of thought that explains it all, though. Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to be something you can pin down deductively and grasp in your hand. I've tried but it always squirts out through my fingers and gets away.

Chris

[RubySera_Martin]

Chris, this is off-topic almost as far as golf. Is that baby in the highchair your kid? Or just a cute picture you decided to post? Whatever, I really like it.

[China Cat Sunflower]

Originally Posted by RubySera_Martin

Chris, this is off-topic almost as far as golf. Is that baby in the highchair your kid? Or just a cute picture you decided to post? Whatever, I really like it.

That is my five year old on her first birthday. See all the cake in her grubby fist?

My kids are cuter than any one else's. That's another relative truth!

Chris

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

I think that there is a unified process behind everything but I can't prove it. I don't think it's possible to come up with a single system of thought that explains it all, though. Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to be something you can pin down deductively and grasp in your hand. I've tried but it always squirts out through my fingers and gets away.

Chris

I think there is a unified process behind everything and I believe it is love. I almost didn't write this because I know is sounds trite, and I know there's a lot of suffering and evil in the world and so saying Love seems disingenious or something. But, I decided to go for it anyway and put myself out there.

luna

[RubySera_Martin]

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

That is my five year old on her first birthday. See all the cake in her grubby fist?

My kids are cuter than any one else's. That's another relative truth!

Chris

What is sweeter than a one-year-old covered with cake? For some years when I was in my teens and twenties I worked in the homes of many different families with kids aged infant to teen. One of the sweetest sights I witnessed was a mother hugging a cake-covered one-year-old who at that specific instant needed to kiss Mummy. And I know all about this kind of relative truth. I am the oldest of eleven children. There was a baby in the family most of my growing-up years. Taking care of the baby was part of my growing-up experience. At one point I observed to Mom that our baby was cuter than anyone else's. Mom agreed, but said I should not voice that opinion to others because they think their baby is the cutest. I never forgot that piece of wisdom.

[China Cat Sunflower]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

I think there is a unified process behind everything and I believe it is love. I almost didn't write this because I know is sounds trite, and I know there's a lot of suffering and evil in the world and so saying Love seems disingenious or something. But, I decided to go for it anyway and put myself out there.

luna

I'm not exactly sure what love, in the largest sense, is. I think you're on to something though, and maybe that's why we have such an emotional connection with beauty. You can beat me and I won't cry, but I'll easily get all misty over something beautiful, especially if there's a connection with what seems universally good and right. Maybe that's another way to look at truth in the terms you described?

Chris

[RubySera_Martin]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

I think there is a unified process behind everything and I believe it is love. I almost didn't write this because I know is sounds trite, and I know there's a lot of suffering and evil in the world and so saying Love seems disingenious or something. But, I decided to go for it anyway and put myself out there.

luna

I've heard this from quite a few people. I just don't get it. The thing that makes most sense to me is that God created it all in some form or another. Maybe that is just a fancy way of saying the source or origin of the universe is not a top priority with me. But like anyone raised inside Christianity I can't pretend not to have given much thought to the matter. I've come across the idea that some religions just don't ask that question. It seems to be a Western obsession. I think it was Aquinas who suggested the world might be eternal. I was shocked to read that of a Christian. I guess that shows that the focus of recent centuries has not necessarily been the focus of Christianity since its inception. And then there is the chance that I misunderstood Thomas Aquinas. I trust our resident Thomas will correct me if I misquoted the man from whom he (I presume) takes his name.

[lunamoth]

More relative truth ('course I think this is objective too). My kids are adorable. Lucky for them they can't take after me...

[RubySera_Martin]

Luna, what adorable little girls! Why can't they take after you? Are they adopted?