Essay on Absolute Truth

Submitted By DarwinW

Words: 343

Pages: 2

Open Document

In order to understand absolute or universal truth, we must begin by defining truth. Truth, according to the dictionary, is “conformity to fact or actuality; a statement proven to be or accepted as true.” Some people would say that there is no true reality, only perceptions and opinions. Others would argue that there must be some absolute reality or truth.

One view says that there are no absolutes that define reality. Those who hold this view believe everything is relative to something else, and thus there can be no actual reality. Because of that, there are ultimately no moral absolutes, no authority for deciding if an action is positive or negative, right or wrong. This view leads to “situational ethics,” the belief that what is right or wrong is relative to the situation. There is no right or wrong; therefore, whatever feels or seems right at the time and in that situation is right. Of course, situational ethics leads to a subjective, “whatever feels good” mentality and lifestyle, which has a devastating effect on society and individuals. This is postmodernism, creating a society that regards all values, beliefs, lifestyles, and truth claims as equally valid.

The other view holds that there are indeed absolute realities and standards that define what is true and what is not. Therefore, actions can be determined to be either right or wrong by how they measure up to those absolute standards. If there are no absolutes, no reality, chaos ensues. Take the law of gravity,

Essay on Truth: Truth and Absolute Truth

There is Such a Thing as Truth In the story There is such thing is truth Errol Morris explains why he believes in absolute truth. He tells of a time when he makes a bet with a neighborhood kid about which city is further West, Los Angeles, CA or Reno, NV. The neighbor believed that Los Angeles was further West than Reno because it is on the Coast. When actually the correct answer is Reno the boy still didn’t believe him even after Errol presented proof. He showed him on a map and explained if…

Words 649 - Pages 3

The Absolute Truth In Joseph Conrad's Heart Of Darkness

unfavorable truth. In Joseph Conrad’s the Heart of Darkness, the characters believe whatever they are told without hesitation to preserve the pristine image of their lives and prevent conflict from arising. Even when false statements are presented to the explorers in Congo, they refrain from doubting or questioning the information at hand. The false beliefs that they possess prevent them from seeing the absolute truth of their world. One may view their misguided beliefs as the truth; however, there…

Words 1557 - Pages 7

Explain Plato's Definition Of Truth

Discuss Plato's definition of truth. Why does he maintain that truth is eternal and perfect? How do most people feel about truth today? Is truth relative or is it absolute? Plato believed the truth was something only exclusive to the wise. He stated that wisdom was a type of knowledge that only belong to whoever was allotted with the birthright. It was up to the wise to teach the truth to the others who couldn't see the truth or lack that birthright. Plato maintains the truth is eternal and perfect…

Words 214 - Pages 1

Essay On Relative Truth

Nov. 26 2013 Absolute vs. Relative Truth In “What if I don’t need God?” by Ravi Zacharias and “Twisted Truth” by Andy Stanley, they have been discussed a lot about absolute and relative truth. There are also things that are relative, but if everything were relative then it would be absolutely true that everything is relative, and that would be self-refuting. So saying that everything is relative can’t be true. Likewise, if everything were absolutely true, then we couldn’t have such things as…

Words 552 - Pages 3

Philosophy of Education Paper

that every child in their care receive and education based on truth. This only can be achieved by understanding that absolute truth exists. There is a great debate in this country as to whether absolute truth exists. To make that statement that there is no…

Words 2360 - Pages 10

Absolutism Vs Relativism Essay

In addition to this, relative moral truth does not apply to every person equally. For example, relativist may believe that God does not exist, the statement does not affect a Christian who believes in God. Relative moral truth can be summed up as “true for you, not for me.” Absolute moral truth is right, since God gave us certain moral truths. For example, the ten commandments. If society all of a sudden does not like the ten commandments…

Words 500 - Pages 2

Larry Lichtenwalter's Are There Moral Absolutes?

The truth today is hidden behind countless lies and deception. Friends, spouses, and siblings all keep secrets from each other often times telling half of the truth, but not the whole truth. Sometimes people do not tell the truth to try and protect their loved ones from the pain they will have from hearing it. Larry L. Lichtenwalter writes a very informative article, “Are There Moral Absolutes?” in the book Always Prepared. The first point that Lichtenwalter makes is that truth does exist. On…

Words 346 - Pages 2

Essay Greek Rhetorical Theory

associated with the belief of divine truth and its accessibility to humans. He believed that before birth, we were granted with the ability to recognize truth. The problem with transcendent truth is that post birth requires us to regain the knowledge of truth that we once had while in the divine. As you would imagine, this could be challenging and seem nearly impossible, but according to Plato, it is a philosopher’s task to help others find their way back to absolute truth. A significant part of Plato’s…

Words 958 - Pages 4

Truth In The Crucible

The justice is mainly based on the truth which is dependent on the citizens in the town of Salem. According to Rodgers (2010), Miller addresses the concept of truth, defining it as moral, private, and individually forged. A close reading, however, reveals that the concept of truth is in fact part of political and social ideologies and therefore truth can never function as a pure or absolute concept. Miller’s antagonist represent public opinion in Salem and they manipulate the society’s values by…

Words 240 - Pages 1

Essay on Epistemology and God

the scriptures of God). Main Ideas Descartes's has five different meditations of his points in proving that God actually exists. In his first Meditations, Descartes believes that all truths must be completely certain. If there is absolutely any doubt in something, then the belief should be rejected. Any truths that aren’t rejected are the ones that are certain in the end. If a belief is rejected based on any doubt, any other belief that is based off of that belief is automatically doubted also…

Words 860 - Pages 4