Nowhere357

Is there a difference between "absolute Truth" and "reality"?

I see our attempts to understand reality as analogous to a mathematical asymptote - we approach but never arrive. We don't observe reality, we observe our mental impressions of reality, which are always suspect to a degree.

Another analogy - reality is the terrain, our understanding (small t truth) is the map - we can fill in details and the map becomes more accurate, but the only completely accurate map is the actual terrain!

Witt

Nowhere357 :

quote:
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Without minds there is no understanding - hence no truth.
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Sophie:

My friend, my friend, we are broaching the topic of absolute truth, not truth , not human truth which needs a mind to comprehend the Truth.

In your scheme of things absolute truth is only Truth with a capital T.


Let us try to think past truth, human truth. so we can try to glean the meaning of absolute truth.
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There cannot be a meaning to 'absolute truth'.
Human truth is the only possible truth, because all truth requires a method of decision.

What method of truth could decide absolutely when we know that no system of decision is capable of determining all truths?

Our understanding of reality, occurs via system.
What cannot be decided cannot be known at all.

What we cannot know we must pass in silence!

Witt

asgardhaven

witt

There cannot be a meaning to 'absolute truth'.
Human truth is the only possible truth, because all truth requires a method of decision.

That's a bit anthrocentric dont you think. Why should the ojective state of the universe depend on my thoughts as a very limited observer? There may exist no Ideal state out there because all the processes in the Universe are dynamic, but a real atate exists independent of my understanding or even acknowledgement of it.

Witt

witt

There cannot be a meaning to 'absolute truth'.
Human truth is the only possible truth, because all truth requires a method of decision.


asgardhaven:

That's a bit anthrocentric dont you think. Why should the ojective state of the universe depend on my thoughts as a very limited observer? There may exist no Ideal state out there because all the processes in the Universe are dynamic, but a real atate exists independent of my understanding or even acknowledgement of it.
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The objective state of the universe is totally indepentdent of our thoughts.

We presume that there is an objective reality without proof.
It is axiomatic.
But, our knowledge about such things is entirely limited to our understanding, no matter how baldly it represents our presumed reality.

Truth is a concoction of mind and it is not a concoction of the world.

The world only shows presence, the truth of that is our (interpretation) construtction about the presence given.

Witt

asgardhaven

So am I correct in summing up your position as:

Truth doesn't neccessarily equal reality,but only our interpretation of reality?

Witt

asgardhaven:

So am I correct in summing up your position as:

Truth doesn't neccessarily equal reality,but only our interpretation of reality?
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Of course, how can it be otherwise?

Truth is that which (can) be shown to be the case.
Knowledge is that which (is/ has been) shown to be the case.

What do you think?

Witt

asgardhaven

Truth ...5a. Reality; actuality. b. often Truth That which is considered to be the supreme reality and to have the ultimate meaning and value of existence.

Reality...3. The totality of all things possessing actuality, existence, or essence.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

I realize that this is from a dictionary and not a volume of philosophy and so maybe missing some nuance, but how are the two notfor all intents and purpouses not equivalent? (Not rethorical by the way but I'm actually just trying to wrap my mind around this)

sophie

Witt : How about natural systems. Evolution. The absolute truth may lie outside your understanding because your mind has decided that's the way it is. Being philosophically inclined, I would not restrict myself by this kind of personal logical decision devised through choice.