Introduction - Truth Flashcards
Truth - we all have a sense that truth is not merely an abstract proposition - that it is essential to living well.
Key problem associated with truth is
how and by whom truth is established
In the past, we believed truth was easier to understand because we assumed that what we thought to be true, was actually true. Science, globalization, democracy, free press, improved understanding of psychology and the ever increasing diversity of culture and ideas has challenged our simple notion of truth and we now need to develop an updated and improved definition of truth that is more accurate, robust, refined and attuned to the current world we live in. Truth has never been simple or easy to define and understand - it was our thinking that was previously simple, not truth.
Truth is difficult to understand, discover, explain and verify. Truth is also disturbingly easy to hide, distort, abuse and twist. Often, we cannot claim with certainty to know the truth.
Truth can often be best understood and appreciated “on the front lines” where truth flirts with falsehood and vice-versa, producing sharp insights that are not easily apparent or defined within the
safe confines of theory.
Taxonomy of Truth - 10 categories of truth-claims that are most important and problematic in real life. Each category will illustrate how the means of legitimately establishing truth are imperfect and contain within them the potential for distortion.
The idea of post-truth serves the interests of those who have the most to fear from the truth. If we believe in post-truth, they have won the day.
