Unlearning Truth

Socrates argues that perfection only exists as an idea and that truth is also an idea. If truth is only perception, since it only exists as an idea, does it exist in our realm?

Throughout history, many dictators and other powerful leaders have imposed genocide on certain groups of people. Most recently, we have discussed good and evil. The concept of good and evil can also be looked at from a perspective of truth.

They view their destruction as following orders or finding a solution to a problem. That is their belief, shared, often, with others. Each person possess a different philosophy on a situation, a different viewpoint. Each differs enough that there is no unity, no common truth.

When a person does a task that is deemed evil, the explanation they provide is a simple one. One that does not account for their actions usually, and one that does not demonstrate their knowledge of the horrors they have committed. For each group, even for each individual, their view on “truth” differs. If you were to interview witnesses of an accident, each would have a different account. The accident itself was one solid event, certain things occurred certain ways, but those details are lost in the explanations.

The definititon of truth has twelve definitions.

truth   /truθ/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [trooth] Show IPA ,
–noun, plural truths  /truðz, truθs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [troothz, trooths] Show IPA . 1. the true or actual state of a matter: He tried to find out the truth.
2. conformity with fact or reality; verity: the truth of a statement.
3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: mathematical truths.
4. the state or character of being true.
5. actuality or actual existence.
6. an obvious or accepted fact; truism; platitude.
7. honesty; integrity; truthfulness.
8. (often initial capital letter) ideal or fundamental reality apart from and transcending perceived experience: the basic truths of life.
9. agreement with a standard or original.
10. accuracy, as of position or adjustment.
11. Archaic. fidelity or constancy.

—Idiom. in truth, in reality; in fact; actually: In truth, moral decay hastened the decline of the Roman Empire.

None of these really clairfy and it is never helpful to have the word itself in the definition.