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Propositions and Absolute Truths

What is truth? What constitutes truth? Does truth exists? How can truth be found? What value does finding truth serve and is it absolute or relative? These are the many questions that Americans grapple with concerning their existence; based on all of the rules, religions, and dogmas that bombard our society on a daily basis. Amidst the clutter and confusion how does one go about to solve this age old mystery of truth? Is truth to be searched for or can it surface from within oneself as the Mystics and Buddhas have taught for many centuries? Even philosophers have waded in the muck of defining absolute truth for many millennia. Although its difficult to disprove the concept of absolute truth; we must remember that the search will go on forever until we can unfix a truth ahead of its time. Do we know for sure whether there are any absolute truths upon which we may be able to rest our ideologies and or moral compasses? It is very hard to find yourself in a world full of surprises and contradictions not to mention absolute truths? Truth, as defined by the dictionary is "conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been; or shall be." As human beings how are we suppose to grasp and hold onto as a measure of truth that has no foundation or isnt based upon any analytical reasoning? If we are to turn to an analytical proposition; which is a truth that is known to be absolute (Thiroux, Krasemann); how do we then Understand how this sentiment would exist in society as an ethical principle? If we were to say all red apples have seeds in them would definitely be logically possible assuming the principle of logic; which states that whatever may or may not be said truly about anything, a thing must by its very definition be what it is[EX. a dog is a dog] (Thiroux, Krasemann). This is an example of how a proposition might exist in society but; to deny this truth would seem logically impossible. So, if we can spot the weakness within this proposition we can see that everything isnt either an apple or not an apple. By its very nature we can

speculate the relation it would have concerning an absolute truth. It is an absolute truth that apples have seeds in them but it isnt a fact that all apples are red. So, we have to begin to use moral judgment in assessing things that may appear to be absolute truths on the subsurface; but deep within carry different vibrations of thought and energy. If we look at a moral proposition we can see that it contains value judgments; in which is based on the character of the individual. Look back at one of Ten Commandments Thou shall not kill is an example of this type of proposition. But, today in society this law is broken all the time with no regard for human life. The key words in this law are shall not so where does the weakness occur; in which seems to make this absolute truth of no effect. The weakness lies in the character of the individual who cant grasp the depth of the truth located in the law. I do believe that this is an absolute truth; but because it is hidden behind many doors it could be seen as an accurate statement being misrepresented. So, the question begs Are there any absolute truths? Yes, there are many but there are also many false concepts and depictions of what should be constituted as an absolute truth.

References:

Buddha or Bust: In Search of Truth, Meaning, Happiness, and the Man Who Found Them All. (2006). Publishers Weekly, 253(20), 69.

Ethics : theory and practice/ Jacques P. Thiroux with Kieth W. Krasemann 11th ed. Pg. 81-83
Parsons, S. F. (2003). THE TRUTH OF ETHICS. Studies In Christian Ethics, 16(2), 52-63.

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