An Islamic Imam, a Jewish Rabi and a Catholic Priest each, in turn, give a speach (no this isn't a joke, just an example, sorry). Each is espousing the doctrines of their own religion. So, who is lying and who is telling the truth?
Well, as it turns out, none are lying as a lie is a statement made that the speaker knows to be false. As they all believe that their own respective religion is the one true religion, they are not lying.
Also, it would appear, that they are all telling the truth. Truth is a philosophical subject and different schools of philosophy have different criterion of truth.Social constructivism holds that truth is constructed by social processes, is historically and culturally specific, and that it is in part shaped through the power struggles within a community. Constructivism views all of our knowledge as "constructed". Consensus theory holds that truth is whatever is agreed upon, or in some versions, might come to be agreed upon, by some specified group.
Are any of them telling us facts? No, they are not. The usual test for a statement of fact is verifiability, that is whether it can be proven to correspond to experience. Religious "truths" can not be proven and so can't be accepted as factual.
Very muddy isn't it? Everyone holds to their own truths. Having a different set of ideals to someone else does not make one or the other a liar. Further, everybody lies. If everybody lies, at what point do we label them a liar. Is it a habitual liar, where every word that comes from their mouth is false or is it simply someone keeping secrets. If it's the later, well I guess we're all liars. I've known several people who claim that they never lie. It has been my experience that these are the most decietful people and they keep making the claim merely to build up their own credibilty. Basically honest people really don't need to keep reminding you of their sincerity all the time.
I've got one more for you. Friedrich Nietzsche wrote that truth should be used only as long as it promoted life and prosperity, and he felt that an untruth was better than truth if it had life enhancement as a consequence.
So which version of truth do you hold to??
In Buddhism there are two truths,conventional worldly truth and ultimate truth,emptiness.x Hugs H
This
Mischeviouslad nearly got it right.
Even the old Romans knew:
In Vino Veritas - which means in wine there is truth.
And when you have drunken too much you will proclaim the truth, or any truth for that matter regardless of who you might hurt or embarrass – or for that matter punch or kill.
Some people seem to get into the state where they feel they must proclaim their truth as they see it – even without drinking – and regardless of their motives – they are the dangerous ones.
Robert Heinlein once wrote words to the effect of:He who tells the whole truth all the time is a sadist.
Nah I just reckon the J man is fishing for a man hiding behing a bush.
Oh and why post such a philosophical scribe on a sex site where I want to keep my blood going to another part of my anatomy.
Mike
I deliberately left Buddhist Monk out of my example because the Buddha's truisms ring truer to my ears than the others.
Have you ever seen Kurosawa's Rasomon? Remarkable film. Mifune as one of the world's greatest actors regardless of language.
I think you have presented at least one excellant point. The Monty Python crew had a great way at approaching the truth.
Hehehehe, naw, never.
...and don't we all know someone just like that.
I can't understand why you would want to pull it apart, you expressed it perfectly. Thank you.
...and the bitch standing next to him and I'm carefully watching that guy over the grassy knoll.
I actually post subjects like this here because it's an 'adult' site with plenty of open-minded members (yes and several with closed minds). I don't really believe your protest, Mike, I think you'd rather join in a discussion like this than discuss the size of someone's cock. By the way, if ever you notice me using your name in a sentence where I'm berating the subject for his ignorance, arrogance and hypocrisy, rest assured, I'm not talking 'bout you.
Its cool mate I was just was jaut taking the renal waste ot of you and the man behind the bush.
I like that there are adult discssions on here that aren't just about the obvious.
I have always enjoyed open and vigourous discussion/argumnent.
You could start a forum on Solipsism and I would join, just because "I think therefore you are".
Culturally relative truth has had me going all frothy at the mouth just because some things like religion are a man made "truth".
Truth has always been a slippery subject and as you have pointed out things depend on the point of culturallt relative position you are in.
I personally hold a constructivist utilitarian science orientated philosophy that hold religion and other culturally recieved belief systems in relativley poo rfavour.
Oh and damn you for posting a thoughtful intelligent question.
It means I have to actually think about "things" like relative truth, justification, cultural relativism.
I generally come on here for some light entertainment and jocularity after a night looking after the sick.
Now you want me to think?
Damn you apes....
to lie is a great kindness,sometimes the truth can be incredibly hurtful to the other.IMO it all depends on your motivation,do I tell the truth and hurt someone or do I lie to protect them from unnecessary pain?
However if I lie to deceive , hurt you or gain advantage then that is causing pain.I know this is very subjective and what you might do in similar circumstancs could be quite different to me,but if we are clear about our motivation we will probably make the right decision.
I too am very supicious Jensman of anyone who claims they never lie.xHugs H
Bummer I cant say more...or did I lie just now?
Ohh I know, when I have to go to court and swear....I will tell the truth and nothing but the truth as God is my witness......I tell the truth.......or dont I?
Truth is science come on!!!!! Religion is just many books of fairytales. Did a virgin really give birth? What a load of rubbish. Most of these books of fantasies were written a hell of a long time ago but now we have SCIENCE that can dispel most myths between their pages. Jesus (sorry, I say that in just instead of the other swear words on offer) I get my people have the need to connect and believe but me I'm going with proof, fact and the truth.
May 'god' be with y'all!