"Something cannot bring itself into existence." This is an absolutely true statement. In order for something to bring itself into existence, it would have to exist in order to be able to perform an action. But if it already existed, then it isn 't possible to bring itself into existence since it already exists. Likewise, if it does not exist then it has no ability to perform any creative action since it doesn' t exist in the first place. Therefore, "Something cannot bring itself into existence" is an absolute truth.
It's a paradox Clovie, if something brings itself into existence then it must first exist to do so. Or perhaps it doesn't, man is not even remotely close to understanding the universe. In answer to the topic I guess 'truth' is just the conclusion we come to when we've reached the limits of our comprehension of something.
Another 'truth' is "You cannot create experience. You must undergo it." Another Camus quote, but I feel it's appropriate.
As I believe in a multiplicity of gods, and I believe in an all powerful creator, I therefore have to believe in a multiplicity of truth... that is, that an all powerful thing can make two, three or more truths, all of which can be the "only" truth, while all the others are as well.... in other words, something omnipotent can make black be the opposite of white, the same as white, and an infinite number of other things, all at the same time, even though these truths are contradictory.... therefore the truth vouchsafed to Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, Wiccans, et al, although different in many respects are all The Only Truth... not necessarily all parts of the same truth, but distinct, separate truths.... any one who believes in an omnipotent God must be open to the idea that such power means that that being can make absolutely anything happen, no matter how incomprehensible it seems to us.... as a UFO investigator, I hold that, unless a sighting can be explained, it remains everything that it possibly could be, all at the same time...
also I think we must make a distinction between Truth, Reality and Validity.... reality is simply a function of the nervous system, a perception that we alter to suit our organs of comprehension... thus time "passes" when in fact time is not the stage upon which we act, but a fellow actor.... Validity is a logic-construct, valuable only to mathematical views of the world, and firmly anchored to reality... whereas truth is truth, and totally beyond our comprehension...
You can ***** on about subjective truth till the moo-cows die of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and the only conclusion you are likely to reach is "it's subjective". If you are asking a question that’s worth anything then it has to be "what is objective truth" and there ladies and gents - I recommend we turn to Wittgenstein.
Forgive me for simplifying:
[list]
[*]the world is a totality of facts
[*]thoughts are logical pictures of facts.
[*]thoughts are expressed by propositions.
[*]propositions are truth-functions of elementary propositions which assign a truth-possibility to facts.
[/list]
That's the closest thing to an adequate description of objective truth as I've ever found.
Truth (n. Pl.):
1) Conformity to fact or actuality.
2) A statement proven to be or accepted as true.
3) Sincerity; integrity.
4) Fidelity to an original or standard.
True (adj.):
1) Real; genuine.
Truth is what, in turn, we are all searching for. A reassurance that what we see is actually there.
Truth exists. If it doesnt, then most peoples lives are empty. Seeking the truth is most peoples goals in life. No matter what truth they are seeking.
But, as was mentioned by Clovie, truth is always something different to everyone. There are many different views of truth, as there is of God or the perfect person. 😉