propositions

7/14/2019 Propositions

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Propositions and Absolute Truths

What is truth? What constitutes truth? Does truth exists? How can truth be found? What

value does finding truth serve and is it absolute or relative? These are the many questions that

Americans grapple with concerning their existence; based on all of the rules, religions, and

dogmas that bombard our society on a daily basis. Amidst the clutter and confusion how does

one go about to solve this age old mystery of truth? Is truth to be searched for or can it surface

from within oneself as the Mystics and Buddha’s have taught for many centuries? Even

philosophers have waded in the muck of defining absolute truth for many millennia. Although it’s

difficult to disprove the concept of absolute truth; we must remember that the search will go on

forever until we can unfix a truth ahead of its time.

Do we know for sure whether there are any absolute truths upon which we may be able

to rest our ideologies and or moral compasses? It is very hard to find yourself in a world full of

surprises and contradictions not to mention absolute truths? Truth, as defined by the dictionary

is "conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been; or shall be." As

human beings how are we suppose to grasp and hold onto as a measure of truth that has no

foundation or isn’t based upon any analytical reasoning? If we are to turn to an analytical

proposition; which is a truth that is known to be absolute (Thiroux, Krasemann); how do we then

Understand how this sentiment would exist in society as an ethical principle?

If we were to say “all red apples have seeds in them” would definitely be logically

possible “assuming the principle of logic”; which states that whatever may or ma y not be said

truly about anything, a thing must by its very definition be what it is[EX. a dog is a dog] (Thiroux,

Krasemann). This is an example of how a proposition might exist in society but; to deny this

truth would seem logically impossible. So, if we can spot the weakness within this proposition

we can see that everything isn’t either an apple or not an apple. By its very nature we can



speculate the relation it would have concerning an absolute truth. It is an absolute truth that

apples have seeds in them but it isn’t a fact that all apples are red. So, we have to begin to use

moral judgment in assessing things that may appear to be “absolute truths” on the subsurface;

but deep within carry different vibrations of thought and energy.

If we look at a moral proposition we can see that it contains value judgments’; in which is

based on the character of the individual. Look back at one of Ten Commandments “Thou shall

not kill” is an example of this type of proposition. But, today in society this law is broken all the

time with no regard for human life. The key words in this law are “shall not” so where does the

weakness occur; in which seems to make this absolute truth of no effect. The weakness lies in

the character of the individual who can’t grasp the depth of the truth located in the law. I do

believe that this is an absolute truth; but because it is hidden behind many doors it could be

seen as an accurate statement being misrepresented. So, the question begs “Are there any

absolute truths? Yes, there are many but there are also many false concepts and depictions of

what should be constituted as an absolute truth.



References:

Buddha or Bust: In Search of Truth, Meaning, Happiness, and the Man Who Found Them All. (2006). Publishers

Weekly , 253 (20), 69.

Ethics : theory and practice/ Jacques P. Thiroux with Kieth W. Krasemann – 11th ed. Pg. 81-83

Parsons, S. F. (2003). THE TRUTH OF ETHICS. Studies In Christian Ethics , 16 (2), 52-63.

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