Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Jayhawker Soule · 02-21-2003, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rainbow walking
Then the consensus seems to be that truth in any absolute final sense is a pipe dream?

Man is trapped in this relativistic realm where his only basic foundation is existentially comprised of facts as they now appear?

No amount of synthesis will ever attain?

[reformated for effect - CA]

I challenge anyone to show any connection between the above three sentences.

Llyricist · 02-21-2003, 11:12 AM

Ummmmm rainbow walking typed all three???

rainbow walking · 02-21-2003, 11:57 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by rainbow walking

Then the consensus seems to be that truth in any absolute final sense is a pipe dream?
Man is trapped in this relativistic realm where his only basic foundation is existentially comprised of facts as they now appear?
No amount of synthesis will ever attain?
[reformated for effect - CA]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:

Originally posted by ConsequentAtheist
I challenge anyone to show any connection between the above three sentences.

rw: I thought they were reasonably comprised questions aimed at the acquisition of a reasonable position to take on the subject of truth. Were they not?

rainbow walking · 02-21-2003, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Philosoft

I wouldn't go that far. I think it is necessary that if something exists, some Truth exists as well. The question is whether we can ever know the Truth.

I won't say that either. What I will say is that, currently our interface with the Truth has enough different parts that an interpretation error is likely to occur at some point. [/B]

rw: Thanx Philosoft, that was informative.

rainbow walking · 02-21-2003, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jamie_L
TRUTH, in big capital letters, is a word that always makes me suspect when I see it. What does someone mean by TRUTH?

It seems like the word truth gets used when people want to imply supernaturalism without actually stating it. In this line of philosophical reasoning, truth is somehow different from facts. Truth is some strange metaphysical quality or quantity.

Arguements about Truth seem to end up with people talking past each other about different things, but all the time labeling them with the same word: Truth.

I don't think I believe in the TRUTH that gets talked about in these arguements. I don't even know what it is, in that sense. I believe in facts.

With that said, there are many facts we just don't know with 100% certainty. There are facts we may never be able to know. There may be things that we think are knowable facts that, in fact, are not (think quantum uncertainty here). We may want to know things with 100% certain, but as with all things, our desire for this has no bearing on its probability.

Almost all science is based on probabilities and likelihoods. Insisting on 100% certainty is the realm of religion and supernaturalism. Here in the real world, we must make do with what we've got.

Jamie

rw: You make some good points Jamie, thanx.

rainbow walking · 02-21-2003, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ConsequentAtheist
What on earth (or anywhere else) is 'circumstantial evidence for the logically possible'?

Also, what attribute set is suggested by "such a creature"?

rw: Good questions. Let's say the first one is overly cautious and the second is irrelevent at this point.

rainbow walking · 02-21-2003, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Llyricist
Ummmmm rainbow walking typed all three???

rw: Ha!

And that they were all three framed as questions.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

02-21-2003, 11:12 AM	#12
Llyricist Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Fort Lauderale, FL Posts: 5,390	Ummmmm rainbow walking typed all three???

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.