Are truths relative or absolute?

[Neotrotsky]

Are truths relative or absolute?

I believe that truth is, ultimately, absolute.
Today, many would argue that truth is relative.

I find that hard to believe. Based on the fact,
there is common ground for most on us on many issues.

Example, most of us would say:
-murder is wrong
-child abuse is wrong
-theft is wrong

Since, I can not really see how these truths would ever
change nor want to live in a world were they did,
I tend to believe that truth is absolute.

As for the rest that is not the same for us, it is only
part of the learning curve on the process of discovery
of the "truth".

 

[Vidi]

I would argue that truith is subjective. What may be true for me is not always true for another.

While all may agree that child abuse is wrong, what constitutes "abuse" is relative. Murder may be wrong but did George Zimmerman commit murder? Stealing may be wrong but are taxes stealing?


See what I mean?

 

[Neotrotsky]

These are more "localized", partial elements that address the
question was this murder or child abuse not if murder itself is wrong or right.

But, the ultimate truth, we all agree is still wrong.

Again, if truths were relative
then would could argue that, ultimately,
murder is never wrong.

 

[onecut39]

I would argue that truith is subjective. What may be true for me is not always true for another.

While all may agree that child abuse is wrong, what constitutes "abuse" is relative. Murder may be wrong but did George Zimmerman commit murder? Stealing may be wrong but are taxes stealing?


See what I mean?

Yep.

 

[onecut39]

These are more "localized", partial elements that address the
question was this murder or child abuse not if murder itself is wrong or right.

But, the ultimate truth, we all agree is still wrong.

Again, if truths were relative
then would could argue that, ultimately,
murder is never wrong.

That would be a stretch, don't you think?

 

[Katzndogz]

Are truths relative or absolute?

I believe that truth is, ultimately, absolute.
Today, many would argue that truth is relative.

I find that hard to believe. Based on the fact,
there is common ground for most on us on many issues.

Example, most of us would say:
-murder is wrong
-child abuse is wrong
-theft is wrong

Since, I can not really see how these truths would ever
change nor want to live in a world were they did,
I tend to believe that truth is absolute.

As for the rest that is not the same for us, it is only
part of the learning curve on the process of discovery
of the "truth".

Morality isn't truth. Truth is never wrong, it is absolute. The truth is the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

While there is no such thing as relative truth, there is relative morality. Child abuse is wrong, unless you believe that the age of consent denies children the sexual pleasure adults can give them. Murder is a good way to shape public opinion. It isn't stealing if its something you really want and no one will give it to you.

 

[uscitizen]

Truths are not morality.

 

[PratchettFan]

Are truths relative or absolute?

I believe that truth is, ultimately, absolute.
Today, many would argue that truth is relative.

I find that hard to believe. Based on the fact,
there is common ground for most on us on many issues.

Example, most of us would say:
-murder is wrong
-child abuse is wrong
-theft is wrong

Since, I can not really see how these truths would ever
change nor want to live in a world were they did,
I tend to believe that truth is absolute.

As for the rest that is not the same for us, it is only
part of the learning curve on the process of discovery
of the "truth".

I don't think you are talking about truth. I think you are talking about values. Right and wrong are meaningless in terms of truth.

If I hold a pencil up, let it go and it falls to the ground - that is a truth. It happened. Whether my letting it go was the right thing or the wrong thing to do is purely a value judgement having nothing to do with the event itself.

 

[Sky Dancer]

That's a deep philosophical question. What is truth? Do we even agree on what we mean?

I think most of us live in relative truth, but absolute truth can't really be described, it can be experienced IMO.

We delve into the metaphysical or spiritual when we talk about what is absolute truth. Some may call absolute truth, "God".

 

[Sky Dancer]

Truths are not morality.

I agree. Truth is not about right or wrong. Truth just is. An example of something true is impermanence, aging and death.

 

[AquaAthena]

I agree with Jim Rohn's impressions of truth.

"Very few of us are authorities on the truth. About the closest that any of us can get is what we hope is the truth or what we think is the truth. That's why the best approach to truth is probably to say, ‘It seems to me...’"

 

[saveliberty]

When I said I'd stay married to my first wife it was the truth. It was also truth when I said it to my current wife.

 

[Neotrotsky]

Are truths relative or absolute?

I believe that truth is, ultimately, absolute.
Today, many would argue that truth is relative.

I find that hard to believe. Based on the fact,
there is common ground for most on us on many issues.

Example, most of us would say:
-murder is wrong
-child abuse is wrong
-theft is wrong

Since, I can not really see how these truths would ever
change nor want to live in a world were they did,
I tend to believe that truth is absolute.

As for the rest that is not the same for us, it is only
part of the learning curve on the process of discovery
of the "truth".

I don't think you are talking about truth. I think you are talking about values. Right and wrong are meaningless in terms of truth.

If I hold a pencil up, let it go and it falls to the ground - that is a truth. It happened. Whether my letting it go was the right thing or the wrong thing to do is purely a value judgement having nothing to do with the event itself.

I am not sure of that...
If the same pencil someone said, "it will not fall down"
that statement of "truth" would be wrong

The decision to let go or not of the pencil seems to be
a different truth or issue.

Plus, the truths I am thinking of, are more global and consequential in their impact and
integral to helping mankind survive in the long run.

Granted, a society where murder was viewed, as never wrong
could survive; but how long?

Your example does show how much easier this is for the concrete physical world.
The law of gravity, outside of theoretical physics, does seem to be absolute. It is in effect, harder to deny.

For other things where subjective factors can be worked in,
it is more difficult.

Of course, the other dilemma, how do we really know when we are there?
We never really will.... we can only hope we move in the right direction

I was only offering the examples of murder and child abuse as areas
where the commonality of agreement that they are wrong, could be used
as "evidence" that there is some absolute truth.

 

[Neotrotsky]

These are more "localized", partial elements that address the
question was this murder or child abuse not if murder itself is wrong or right.

But, the ultimate truth, we all agree is still wrong.

Again, if truths were relative
then would could argue that, ultimately,
murder is never wrong.

That would be a stretch, don't you think?

I don't think so

If all truth is relative then any point along the acceptance or rejection of
murder would be possible

 

[PratchettFan]

Are truths relative or absolute?

I believe that truth is, ultimately, absolute.
Today, many would argue that truth is relative.

I find that hard to believe. Based on the fact,
there is common ground for most on us on many issues.

Example, most of us would say:
-murder is wrong
-child abuse is wrong
-theft is wrong

Since, I can not really see how these truths would ever
change nor want to live in a world were they did,
I tend to believe that truth is absolute.

As for the rest that is not the same for us, it is only
part of the learning curve on the process of discovery
of the "truth".

I don't think you are talking about truth. I think you are talking about values. Right and wrong are meaningless in terms of truth.

If I hold a pencil up, let it go and it falls to the ground - that is a truth. It happened. Whether my letting it go was the right thing or the wrong thing to do is purely a value judgement having nothing to do with the event itself.

I am not sure of that...
If the same pencil someone said, "it will not fall down"
that statement of "truth" would be wrong

The decision to let go or not of the pencil seems to be
a different truth or issue.

Plus, the truths I am thinking of, are more global and consequential in their impact and
integral to helping mankind survive in the long run.

Granted, a society where murder was viewed, as never wrong
could survive; but how long?

Your example does show how much easier this is for the concrete physical world.
The law of gravity, outside of theoretical physics, does seem to be absolute. It is in effect, harder to deny.

For other things where subjective factors can be worked in,
it is more difficult.

Of course, the other dilemma, how do we really know when we are there?
We never really will.... we can only hope we move in the right direction

I was only offering the examples of murder and child abuse as areas
where the commonality of agreement that they are wrong, could be used
as "evidence" that there is some absolute truth.

I think you misunderstand me. It was not any prediction of what might happen that constituted truth. It was the event itself. It was true it fell not because I believed it would fall or claimed it would fall. It was true because it did fall.

Murder is a legal term, right and wrong are values. Neither are truth. If I shove a knife into your chest and you die, that is a truth. It is true because it happened. But that truth does not make it murder, nor does it speak to right or wrong. Those are values which are purely subjective.

Let us say I am an absolute ruler in a society in which children are routinely sold into slavery and prized as sex toys. If I purchase one and use it in that manner, was I doing wrong? Not according to the society in which I was lliving. If I killed someone just for the pleasure of it, would that be wrong? Not if the standards of the society consider me above the law. That is all subjective. Only in the act itself will you find any truth.

 

[Liability]

It is absolutely true that some truths are relative.

 

[Intense]

Are truths relative or absolute?

I believe that truth is, ultimately, absolute.
Today, many would argue that truth is relative.

I find that hard to believe. Based on the fact,
there is common ground for most on us on many issues.

Example, most of us would say:
-murder is wrong
-child abuse is wrong
-theft is wrong

Since, I can not really see how these truths would ever
change nor want to live in a world were they did,
I tend to believe that truth is absolute.

As for the rest that is not the same for us, it is only
part of the learning curve on the process of discovery
of the "truth".

My Personal perception is that Truth is absolute, Application is relative to circumstance and awareness. Measure Twice, cut once.

 

[Intense]

It is absolutely true that some truths are relative.

Example?

 

[Liability]

It is absolutely true that some truths are relative.

Example?

Relative truth:

One plus one equals two.

It is true in base ten.

But it isn't really true in base two.

In base two, 1 + 1 = 10.

But 10 = "2."

Therefore 10 does NOT always equal "10."

 

[uscitizen]

You can divide a pie into 3 equal pieces,
however pi is not exactly 1/3.