Is there such a thing as "Absolute Truth"? Are you absolutely sure...??

1. 68

   bstiltner77posted 15 years ago

   Is there such a thing as "Absolute Truth"? Are you absolutely sure...??
   
   I am a firm believer in absolute truth. I find it quite difficult to believe that some will consider answering this question with a dogmatic and passionate "No" and to that response I simply wonder if they are absolutely sure....lol

   replyreport
2. 86

   Cari Jeanposted 15 years ago

   I am a firm believer also of absolute truth. Will be interesting to see the answers - esp. those who believe truth is relative.

   replyreport
3. 71

   Silver Poetposted 15 years ago

   The laws of gravity, thermodynamics, inertia, etc. are absolute truths. 
   
   There are others, but I mention those upon which I think we can all agree.

   replyreport
4. 75

   Mikel G Robertsposted 15 years ago

   I would have to say no. And No, I'm not absolutely sure.

   replyreport
5. 83

   rdlang05posted 15 years ago

   I believe in both Absolute and Subjective truth.  I don't believe that any truth is "relative" but subjective (yes, there is a difference IMO).

   replyreport
6. 60

   Hi-Jinksposted 15 years ago

   A wise man would say that he is searching for the truth.

   replyreport
7. 60

   Theophanyposted 15 years ago

   Anyone who does not believe in absolute truth would not even bother answering your question. If they do answer your question, then they clearly believe there is at least one thing that was absolute: their statement concerning it. Sadly, most of these relativists won't even realize how ironic it is to argue for the absolute truthfulness of their position.

   replyreport
8. 60

   aavashposted 15 years ago

   yes there is only one truth on this world and truth is believing Christ.You believe christ you have all the wisdom and truth.

   replyreport
9. 60

   HowToHypnotiseposted 15 years ago

   Centuries of debate have gone into trying to answer this!
   
   I assume there are universal truths.
   
   To assert that my subjective experience is evidence of a universal truth is another question altogether! Can something that I experience to be 'absolutely' true for me be extended to be true for others? Do our common experiences as a group point to an underlying universal truth?
   
   I work in the realm of 'subjective' experience when working on 'therapy' issues that people have - and one thing I have noticed: many 'neurosis' and 'issues' exist simply because people have constructed what we term 'universal constructs' deep within their psyche ... they even have the experiential 'evidence' to back up these subjective absolute truths (we all do this). 
   
   These constructs actually act as 'unconscious filters' on the subjective experience of the world ... creating self-reinforcing patterns that further stabilize 'what is held to be true'.
   
   Here's the kicker ... change one of those 'universal constructs' in the psyche (there are a number of techniques available to achieve this) and subjective experience changes, the filters change, the beliefs shift, what is possible changes, the choices available to the individual change ... and the conclusions about 'subjective reality' change.
   
   The question I ask myself (and one I can't answer) is how much of what we assume to be underlying absolutes are simply a result of the deep unconscious conditioning we receive in the social-historical point at which we exist in the trajectory of history?

   replyreport
10. 0

    jcmmanuelposted 15 years ago

    I understand the question, but I don't see how it makes much sense. I believe in absolute truth, but I also believe that we humans have our own interpretations anyway. So from the viewpoint of an observer (if one could be objective), the search for truth has to be a quest. The Bible itself, by the way, shows the traces of growing insights, improved laws - even there, the Bible shows us something of a quest for truth. God is, in a way, looking for reason ("let us reason together" - isn't that a bible verse in Isaiah 1 or so?)

    replyreport
11. 0

    AKA Winstonposted 13 years ago

    I cannot prove to you there is no absolute truth, but I can show how the concept is irrational.  First, it is imperative to define truth.  Is it an abstraction (concept) or is it an object (a some thing)?  I can point to a one-pound rock (object).  I cannot point to a pound of truth (concept).
    
    Here is another way to consider this.  An object (a thing) does not have to be defined.  We can simply point our finger at it.  On the other hand, a concept (truth) requires a definition for it to have any meaning.
    
    If it requires a definition, it requires a sentient being to create that definition - a human brain had to think up the meaning of these 5 English letters T-R-U-T-H and explain what this word represented.
    
    Therefore, it is impossible for truth to have meaning prior to a human brain which created its meaning.  Biological brains have not always been.  Truth, then, could not always have been.
    Truth is the consequence of the brain.  A consequence cannot precede its cause (the brain).
    When the question is which came first, truth or the brain, brain is the clear winner.
    
    If truth has not always been, it can hardly be considered absolute.
    
    Bonus points: truth is nothing more than an asserted personal belief or more formally, the resolution of a dichotomy by sound argument within a system of logic based on the LNC as axiomatic base.
    
    Anything else is simply another form of religious belief that "truth" is an object that can be found, like an orange is found, hanging on an truth tree, ripe for plucking.
    
    The only thing ripe for plucking is the sucker who believes the pastor's claims of absolute  truth and opens his wallet or his checkbook.

    replyreport
12. 59

    Civil War Bobposted 12 years ago

    Yepper...Absolute Truth gets my vote, but old AKA Winston is on the ball when he states that religion is connected with it.  He kind of undermines his eloquence, though, in starting out by saying he can't prove there's no absolute truth.  I can't 'prove' there is Absolute Truth, but then that's not my job; which is to state it and let the One who claims to be the way, the truth, and the life deal with the reader/listener.
    I was surprised that 3 answers were hidden due to negative feedback, but being the inquisitive one that I am, looked at them and found them highly NON-controversial...2 'for', 1 'against.'
    Oh, and yes, I am absolutely sure, beyond the shadow of a doubt, from now until that Great Gettin' Up Morning!!  Fare ye well...fare ye well!!

    replyreport
    1. 72

       breathe2travelposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Seems that answers in support of God, a Truth, or conservatism often receive down votes -- even if there is nothing controversial with them.  My understanding of HP is that if an answer adds to a conversation/discussion, readers are to vote up.

       replyreport
13. 61

    Sir Payneposted 12 years ago

    I cannot speak for other people, but the only absolute truth that I know of is that I exist. "I think, therefore, I am". That is one absolute truth that I am 100% sure is absolute truth.
    
    It is possible that outside of the above fact absolute truth exist, but one can not possibly know if he has acquired it.
    
    I think all the other answers are logically incorrect in regards to the question.

    replyreport