Objective Truth.

[Honza]

I used to believe in an objective truth. A truth which would be true regardless of peoples beliefs, opinions, perceptions etc. It has occurred to me that not many people here see it the same way.

There are many people here who seem to see it that truth depends upon how *they* see it. In the sense that what is true to them is the truth. This makes truth subjective. There can be no consensus as to what truth is because it depends upon each individual person!

I'm not sure! Is truth dependent upon HOW I see it? Is there no objective truth?

[JosephineB]

Always be true to yourself is my advice.

How's your foot?

[Unseeking Seeker]

***

Absolute truth

The limited self bisects & interprets
Whilst the higher unifies & connects
The interpreter, the doubter, the questioner
Is the limited self as a narrow doer
The truth is known by direct wisdom imbibed
Our blossoming which cannot be described

***

[Altair]

Honza, you have a habit of raising interesting questions..!

Perhaps there is no satisfactory answer to your question though, because it entirely depends on what topic you are thinking about. Is there 'objective truth' in various topics in science..? Sure, YET knowledge, despite carrying truthful observations, does tend to be incomplete. Is there an 'objective truth' in people's mystical experiences..? Maybe not in the strict sense, as they cater to an individual. However, I would still say that, yes, there is even the possibility of 'objective' truth there. How it presents itself may vary..

'The truth' therefore isn't about crazy relativism nor is it really about radical objectivity. There are different perspectives, however there are also lies and false conclusions, and it's also true spiritual 'truths' may present themselves differently to individuals who do the same practice. It's really about recognizing that it's not about the destination, but a road that goes on and on. The stuff you may find along the road can be truth, but your picture will be incomplete..

[edithaint]

This is a good question.

Are there certain rules, readily observed and agreed upon, that our natural world seem to follow? Yes. While there are remarkable exceptions, if a human or other similarly-built animal here on Earth falls from over a few dozen feet, our fleshy bodies will go splat and most likely begin to decompose.

Are there fairly predictable patterns of cause, effect, and correlation in regards to quite a few phenomena? Yes. A bold or short-sighted person climbs up a tall skyscraper without a parachute. They slip or lose their grip, and begin plummeting to the concrete below. Their parachute does not deploy, because they did not bring it with them, and they flail in desperation while possibly screaming. Flapping their arms fails to slow their descent. They hit the concrete, organs rupturing and bones shattering.

Can we humans as either individuals or species ever know for certain that we know all there is to know? No. While we understand a good little bit about our history, our biology, and the physics of our observable universe, we are much too tiny and limited to truly comprehend the full scope of reality. Our brains would probably explode if we really tried, like our guts if we fell from that skyscraper.

[Busby]

Originally Posted by edithaint

This is a good question.

Are there certain rules, readily observed and agreed upon, that our natural world seem to follow? Yes. While there are remarkable exceptions, if a human or other similarly-built animal here on Earth falls from over a few dozen feet, our fleshy bodies will go splat and most likely begin to decompose.

Are there fairly predictable patterns of cause, effect, and correlation in regards to quite a few phenomena? Yes. A bold or short-sighted person climbs up a tall skyscraper without a parachute. They slip or lose their grip, and begin plummeting to the concrete below. Their parachute does not deploy, because they did not bring it with them, and they flail in desperation while possibly screaming. Flapping their arms fails to slow their descent. They hit the concrete, organs rupturing and bones shattering.

Can we humans as either individuals or species ever know for certain that we know all there is to know? No. While we understand a good little bit about our history, our biology, and the physics of our observable universe, we are much too tiny and limited to truly comprehend the full scope of reality. Our brains would probably explode if we really tried, like our guts if we fell from that skyscraper.

Admirably put in my opinion.

Aldous Huxley gave his book 'Heaven and Hell' a sub-title, 'The Doors of Perception' and indicated thus, with this sub-title, our slight and rare excursions into the full scope of reality.
For those of us who have peeped through the slightly opened doors of perception or have seen the curtain quickly lift and drop there is no doubt that the instrument we call brain would tremble in fright at the prospect of facing that immense vista. Fortunately (if that is the right word) we have a collective unconsciousness which supports our endeavours by not leaving us high and dry.

There is nothing supernatural about this hidden reality, it's simply the place where everything belongs, each of us and every leaf is embedded in its Oneness.

It's tremendous.

[JosephineB]

Originally Posted by Busby

Admirably put in my opinion.

Aldous Huxley gave his book 'Heaven and Hell' a sub-title, 'The Doors of Perception' and indicated thus, with this sub-title, our slight and rare excursions into the full scope of reality.
For those of us who have peeped through the slightly opened doors of perception or have seen the curtain quickly lift and drop there is no doubt that the instrument we call brain would tremble in fright at the prospect of facing that immense vista. Fortunately (if that is the right word) we have a collective unconsciousness which supports our endeavours by not leaving us high and dry.

There is nothing supernatural about this hidden reality, it's simply the place where everything belongs, each of us and every leaf is embedded in its Oneness.

It's tremendous.

Wise man that Aldous Huxley.

[Honza]

Originally Posted by JosephineBloggs

How's your foot?

I have just had the dressing changed this morning. The wound is clean and healing slowly. Thanks!

[Honza]

Some interesting answers here. Thanks everyone.

[JosephineB]

Originally Posted by Honza

I have just had the dressing changed this morning. The wound is clean and healing slowly. Thanks!

Not getting worse is a good thing.