Absolute truth, and the lack thereof

A paradigm is a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind. These are the distorted lens through which we see the world. Immanuel Kant, the central figure in modern philosophy, believed that there are two realities: the one that exists, and the one that we see through paradigms.

One of the teachings Kant had articulated was Diallelos. The ideology states the following: truth is said to be consenting with the object of knowledge. Then, my perception must align with the object to be valid.

I can only compare my knowledge of the object, by taking knowledge from it. Thus, my understanding is to be verified by itself, which is far from adequate.

I believe that absolute truth does not exist for the following reasons.

Firstly, truth is relative. A staunch Muslim might say that the Koran is the true word of God. No, a hardcore Christian would say, the true words of God are revealed in the Bible. In their respective viewpoints, they are correct.

Get quality help now

KarrieWrites

Verified writer

Proficient in: Truth

5 (339)

“ KarrieWrites did such a phenomenal job on this assignment! He completed it prior to its deadline and was thorough and informative. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Their truth is tied to their faiths. Their truths are based on perceptions and ideologies, which are influenced by the macro environment.

Additionally, as the socio-economic conditions change, perceptions change to suit in the new era. A child in the 1920s used to grow up hearing that African-Americans are inferior to Caucasians. This was as an axiom, but for the child, this was the truth. Animal rights, race equality, climate change and LGBTQIA+ rights have changed societal truths greatly. For instance, today, if a celebrity posted a photo in which they were using a plastic straw, they would face great criticism.

People would quote something he/she had said about the importance of climate change. The celebrity would be called out for their supposed perfidy for the rest of their life. Ten years ago, no one would have cared.

Moreover, even scientific truths change over time. Five hundred years ago, science stated that the Sun rose in the east and set in the west. It did this every day, it never changed. Observers believed that the Sun was circling the Earth. This was palpable from its rising and setting. Then, Nicolaus Copernicus proved the scientists and religious leaders had it all wrong; the Sun didn’t move around the Earth, the Earth moved around the Sun. What had been true was now untrue. The truth itself did not change. What changed was our view of the truth. How do we know the current truth won’t change over time? We don’t; after all, earlier truths have been overturned by later knowledge. Robert Anton Wilson eloquently describes this theory in the quote “Any model we make does not describe the universe. It describes what our brains are capable of saying at this time.” However, scientific truths which are empirically tested and proven are everlasting.

In conclusion, one person’s truth might well be another person’s untruth. What is true today, might not be true tomorrow. So, how can we know what is true? Time and viewpoints combine to create too many variants on almost any subject for there to be an absolute truth. We have a constant possibility to learn and discover. We can improve as our truths do the same. If the absolute truth existed, a time would come when we’d come to a standstill and we could go no further. An ever-changing reality gives allows metanoia.