Truth: Absolute Understanding Essay, Research Paper
Absolute Understanding
[This essay was my first in Philosophy 201. I have another that is similar but different
which I wrote at the end of the term. Read both.]
Absolute Understanding
An elephant was brought to a group of blind men who had never
encountered such an animal before. One felt a leg and reported that an
elephant is a great living pillar. Another felt the trunk and reported that an
elephant is a great snake. Another felt a tusk and reported that an elephant
is like a sharp ploughshare. And so on. And then they all quarreled
together, each claiming that his own account was the truth and therefore
all the others false (traditional parable).
None of the accounts that the blind men made about the nature of the elephant are
absolute truths, nor are the accounts false. An absolute truth, or one that is true for all,
can not be achieved because of the constant motion of circumstances of who said it,
to
whom, when, where, why, and how it was said. Instead of absolute truths, the
concepts
or beliefs that the blind men claim are viewpoints that each one clarifies the nature of
the
elephant.
Everybody has learned to see things from his or her own sense of reason and logic.
The
many things that people experience throughout their lifetimes, help to determine the
judgments toward the different issues and objects that they encounter. Because
individuals
has his or her own sense of reason and logic, the perceptions that people encounter
are
ultimately true, and not false. Life does not contain one truth for any idea or object, but
truths can be found in one?s perception. It is difficult to determine that anything is the
absolute truth. One should not prove that any object contains a true meaning, but
should
develop conceptions surrounding the object.
Attempting to prove anything then would be difficult, if not impossible. Our senses
from
smell to values to reality may differ from person to person. What may be true to one
person
may be different for another. Because everybody has different perceptions about life,
it is
difficult to weigh the content of any concept. Every account, of its own, is formed to be
the truth of the one individual who assumes it. The variety of concepts may have the
virtue of being considered. This is how people develop a deeper sense of
understanding for
all objects.
Truth is achieved through the concept and not the object itself. Because many
individuals
hold different perceptions, they have many truths to consider, or not to consider. For
example, it would be impossible to determine, whether or not, the cutting of trees is
either
“good” or “bad.” One might have the conception that cutting trees destroys homes for
birds and other animals. Another person might have the conception that cutting trees
is
necessary to satisfy the need to provide homes for humans. Whatever concept is
understood from the object, may be the truth. Just because there may be other
viewpoints
to this situation, does not mean that there has to be false statements. The tree can be
used for many uses from medicine to paper to boats and none of these views would
be
wrong. The tree remains to be a tree, but the values of the tree can differentiate,
depending on who is using it.
The conception of God, or the non-conception of God, is another issue that many
people
make the mistake of trying to prove. A well recognized philosopher, Soren
Kierkegaard
states, “For if God does not exist it would of course be impossible to prove it; and if he
[or
she] does exist it would be folly to attempt it.” Demonstrating the existence or non-
existence of God only produces reasons for belief, not the actual proof that God
exists.
Kierkegaard also claims, “…between God and his works there exists an absolute
relationship: God is not a name but a concept”( Kierkegaard 72). The relationship
between man and God is a concept. A person with belief in God, cannot prove its
existence through his or her own relationship with God. Kierkegaard adds again, “The
works of God are such that only God can perform them” We have no basis of proving
God?s works, nor do we know what kind of works God uses on different individuals.
Yet,
some religious groups have made the mistake to try to enforce their own religion upon
different individuals. Some religious groups claim that their religion is the only “true”
religion, which is very untrue. This may be a reason why religion has been a major
factor
in previous wars and movements. The attempt to follow one truth, instead of freely
allowing individuals and societies to follow their own truth, has led many people into
frustration and hostility.
All concepts are so dynamic that the truth that one believes may appear to be
self-ironic.
A person may believe that television promotes violence in kids, exposes the use of
profanity, and stupidity. Another person my believe that television may be educational
because the exposure of all these problems will form into understanding. Although
both
may be perfectly true to each other, the two issues are found to be to be contradictory.
The disagreement does not make the other statement false, but establishes another
truth.
If each of the blind men spend less time on proving his own account and spend
more time understanding the different truths that exist, they may discover that all
perceptions of the elephant can be taken into consideration. The men may discover
that
the elephant is a great living pillar, a great snake, and like a sharp ploughshare at the
same
time, or at different times. The blind men may even come to the conclusion that the
elephant may be neither of these. The opinions of the blind men may be constantly in
motion because of the acceptance of the many viewpoints that currently exist and
may
exist in the future. Although the elephant may stay the same, opinions about it may
change and adapt.
Works Cited
Bowie, Lee G., Michaels, Meredith W., Solomon, Robert C. Twenty Questions “An
Introduction to Philosophy. Harcourt Brace & Company, 3rd ed. Kierkegaard 72- 75
Handout. Traditional Parable
341
Другие работы по теме:
Reason For Existence Essay Research Paper Existentialism
Reason For Existence Essay, Research Paper Existentialism was born against Age of Reason in order to reject abstract thinking and absoluteness of reason. Existentialists have claims and evidences to support their idea. They are trying to find absolute truth without absolute thinking because of this they will look for the truth all the eternity.
Absoluve Versus Relative Evil Essay Research Paper
Danny RheeEnglish IIIDecember 22, 1998 Absolute Versus Relative Evil As absolute evil is compared to relative evil, one can conclude that our society today, molds evil as relative. By trying to find the root of absolute evil, it may have been pronounced beyond the breech of our imaginations. An example of absolute evil has existed beyond our belief, absolute evil has been demonstrated in many aspects of life, one example would be during the anglo-saxon time period, in the short story Beowulf.
HertzsprungRussell Diagram Essay Research Paper The HertzsprungRussell
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram Essay, Research Paper The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram or, the H-R Diagram for short, is a graph which plots stars according to their temperature and absolute magnitude. This graph reveals a pattern, which in fact is quite interesting. The H-R Diagram is named for the two astronomers, Ejnar Hertzsprung and Henry Russell, who discovered this pattern of stars.
Truth Essay Research Paper Is there any
Truth Essay, Research Paper Is there any objective truth? Or must we finally accept that at bottom, in the end, philosophically speaking, there is no “real” or “objective” or “absolute” or “foundational” or “fact of the matter” or “right answer” truth about anything, that even our most confident convictions about what happened in the past or what the universe is made of or who we are or what is beautiful or who is wicked are just our convictions, just conventions, just ideology, just badges of power, just the rules of the language games we choose to play, just the product of our irrepressible disposition to deceive ourselves that we have discovered out there in some external, objective, timeless, mind-independent, world what we have actually invented ourselves, out of instinct, imagination and culture?
They Know Essay Research Paper Out of
They Know Essay, Research Paper Out of my love for you is conceived only pain However that gives me some pleasure Your face reflects the night of a full moon
Summary Of Orwells
’ Animal Farm Essay, Research Paper Summary of Orwells’ Animal Farm In the beginning of Orewell’s novel the animals rebel against the “Manor Farm” they take it over, and drive the humans off of the farm. In doing this
The Nature Of Truth Essay Research Paper
The nature of truth has been linked with the good and the beautiful as one of man’s supreme values. The pursuit of truth is indistinguishable in practice from the pursuit of knowledge, whether about the environment, nature, ethnical duties and ideas, or the relation to the divine.( Boodin 208-209 ) The complete understanding of the nature of truth is not humanely achievable.
John Berger Essay Research Paper In John
John Berger Essay, Research Paper In John Berger?s essay ?Another Way of Telling,? Berger argues that photographs contain a ?third meaning.? Berger claims that the third meaning is personal and relies almost completely on the individual viewer. As a result, no photograph can convey the same message to any two people and no two photographs can convey the same message to any one person.
David Hume 2 Essay Research Paper David
David Hume 2 Essay, Research Paper David Hume attempted to study human nature by using the laws of physical science. He also set out to find an absolute truth by using scientific reasoning. In his search for an absolute truth he discovered an immense difference among opposing opinions on nearly every subject confronted by man.
Legislation Essay Research Paper What then is
Legislation Essay, Research Paper What, then, is legislation? It is an assumption by one man, or body ofmen, of absolute, irresponsible dominion over all other men whom theycan subject to their power. It is an assumption by one man, or body ofmen, of a right to subject all other men to their will and theirservice.
Anthem 2 Essay Research Paper The first
Anthem 2 Essay, Research Paper The first book I read this year was Anthem, written by the highly respected author, Ayn Rand. This book has two main themes which expressed in the style of her writing. In this piece I noticed Ayn Rand used her book to portray how man can overcome and achieve any objective he has been faced with and can see past any influence society has used to control his mind.
Jon Locke Essay Research Paper 4 John
Jon Locke Essay, Research Paper 4. John Locke was opposed to an absolute monarchy; Hobbes thought they were a good system. John Locke believed that the individual should be responsible for his own justice; Hobbes thought that a society needed an absolute ruler. The differences that appear lye in regard to their thoughts on mankind in general.
Abolishing Poverty In The US Essay Research
Paper Abolishing Poverty in The U.S John Boston Sociology 101 October 31, 1996 If I had the power to abolish poverty in the United States I would do it in a second. Abolishing poverty would be almost impossible because there are
Descartes And Hume Essay Research Paper There
Descartes And Hume Essay, Research Paper There are three ways in which one is able to find truth: through reason (A is A), by utilizing the senses (paper burns) or by faith (God is all loving). As the period of the Renaissance came to a close, the popular paradigm for philosophers shifted from faith to reason and finally settling on the senses.
Absolute Truth Essay Research Paper The question
Absolute Truth Essay, Research Paper The question of right and wrong has been battled over for centuries. Many conservatives still believe that truth is absolute, while others disagree, saying that truth is relative. I believe that truth is absolute, and therefore, it is never right to do wrong.
Hegel Essay Research Paper Georg Wihelm Friedrich
Hegel Essay, Research Paper Georg Wihelm Friedrich Hegel 1770- 1831 German Idealist Hegel was born in Stuttgart on August 27, 1770, which is now part of Germany. Hegel was the son of a revenue officer with the civil service. He studied the Greek and Roman classics while attending the Stuttgart preparatory school.
Absolute Value Functions Essay Research Paper Absolute
Absolute Value Functions Essay, Research Paper Absolute Value Functions (y=a|x-b|+c) In an absolute value function “a” represents the slope of the equation. The slope is counted up or down, then both left and right thus producing the function’s “V” shape and its symmetry. If a*0 in the equation, then the “V” has and upward direction, but if a*0 then the “V” has a downward direction.
Nuclear Weapons Essay Research Paper The topic
Nuclear Weapons Essay, Research Paper The topic of nuclear weapons is one that will be around forever. One of my favorite lines from the reading we had was that we cannot uninvent nuclear
Berger And Tompkins Essay Research Paper John
Berger And Tompkins Essay, Research Paper John Berger’s writing “Ways of Seeing” is a look into the world of art. Throughout his composition, he gives his opinions on various topics about art. Jane Tompkins essay “Indians: Textualism, Morality, and the Problem of History” is a look into the world of history.
Questions And Answers About Random Philosophers Essay
, Research Paper 1.What beliefs did the Sophists challenge? They didn’t believe that gods and goddesses influenced behavior or absolute moral and legal standards. But that “man is the measure of all things” and truth is different to each individual.
Hegel Vs. Marx
… Who Is More Free? Essay, Research Paper Human freedom is what Marx described it as: absolute knowledge derived from the realization that you are a part of everything and the lack of dependency on material goods. Marx s technique of thesi and antithesi coming together to form the next incantation of society is in my mind the most reasonable.
Errors Essay Research Paper Absolute Errors Since
Errors Essay, Research Paper Absolute Errors Since no measurement is exact, there will always be the possibility of an error. Numbers are often rounded off to a certain number of significant figures or
Catch 22 Essay Research Paper Although seen
Catch 22 Essay, Research Paper Although seen on the surface as a mere comedy about the destructiveness of war; Catch-22 becomes more than what is seen on the cover. Through Catch-22 Joseph Heller permeates the idea that there is no single definitive truth, that the world is the form of a continual clash of truths.
How Do We Evaluate Art Essay Research
Paper How Do We Evaluate Art? When we are trying to evaluate art, how do we know it is good or not? We usually fit our personal feelings to the good or bad decision. If the
Newtonian Absolute Space Essay Research Paper Newtonian
Newtonian Absolute Space Essay, Research Paper Newtonian Absolute Space When Newton proposed his axioms describing fundamental laws of physics, he insisted on the necessity of absolute space to a completed theory of mechanics. Absolute space can be best described as not-relationally-dependent space.
Absolute Values In Radicals Essay Research Paper
Absolute Values in Radicals Absolute values in radicals is a very easy concept, once it is mastered. Basically an absolute value is the positive square root of the sum of the squares of the real and imaginary parts of a complex number. An absolute value sign is two straight lines that are place around the exponent to show that the value of the exponent is a positive number.
Plato Vs Nietzche- The Nature Of
Good Essay, Research Paper Plato Vs. Nietzsche: The Nature of Good Plato and Nietzsche have opposing views on the nature of good. Plato, as demonstrated in the “The Cave” and “Apology,” believes that Good is absolute. This means that he is of the opinion that there is one perfect version of Good for all people, whether they are rich or poor, powerful or weak.
Julius Ceasar Essay Research Paper Julius Ceasar
Julius Ceasar Essay, Research Paper Julius Ceasar Julius Ceasar was born in the first century. He was deaf in his left ear and lacked physical strength. He was assasinated by many conspirators. The main ones being Cassius, Brutus, and Decius. They were all against an absolute monarch, and therefore feared the crowning of Ceasar.
On Lying In Bed (Essay On This
Essay Written By G K Chestert Essay, Research Paper In this short essay, G.K. Chesterton is able to display his absolute understanding of human nature. He explains this nature through humor and wit in this particular essay, On Lying in Bed. According to this essay, Chesterton has developed three parts to human nature.
Animal Farm Essay Research Paper The Russian
Animal Farm Essay, Research Paper The Russian Revolution is an example that absolute power often corrupts society. In the novel Animal Farm, author George Orwell shows through
Absolute Monarchs Essay Research Paper An absolute
Absolute Monarchs Essay, Research Paper An absolute monarch is a ruler whose power is unlimited, this is known as absolutism. This essay will discuss the characteristics of absolutism and how they affected 17th century absolute monarchs.
Absolute Power Essay Research Paper Absolute PowerThis
Absolute Power Essay, Research Paper Absolute Power This job started off as any other for 66 year-old Luther Witney. He had everything checked off as he was about to break an entering into the worlds richest mans mansion in Mudleton, Virgina. He successfully got in and went straight up to the vault in which he noticed some time earlier when he got a tour of the house.
Truth And Belief Essay Research Paper Truth
Truth And Belief Essay, Research Paper Truth and Belief James is a believer in the pragmatic theory of truth. He draws a relationship between the good and the true. The true is not an separate entity from good, but is one of the species of good.
Infinity Essay Research Paper Throughout all of
Infinity Essay, Research Paper Throughout all of the stellar cosmos, there is only one absolute (debatable): Infinity. Humans are leaves on a giant tree called ?Life?. Where humans bud in the spring, blossom during the summer, then fade away and die during the autumn, the tree will last an eternity as a memento of the past, a reminder of the present, and a positive sign for the future.