Understanding Truth: Navigating to Absolute Reality

Understanding the concept of "truth" is fundamental in our quest for knowledge. But our perception of the truth isn't always straightforward. Our truth is a collection of beliefs, and what we believe to be "truth" is, like it or not, influenced (we are influenced) by beliefs that are simply not true.

What this means is that your personal truths are true to you, but they may not be absolutely true. In fact, they are likely not "absolutely" true.

Renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson identifies three types of truths: personal, political, and objective truths. For the sake of clarity, I prefer to frame "political truths" as "social truths."

He defines objective truth as: "Something that is true whether or not you believe it and the methods and tools of science are uniquely concieved to seek out and establish objective truths."

That's not to say that all of your truths are false, but recognize that at any one moment, on any one topic, your collective understanding of the truth is either divergent or convergent on absolute truth. This understanding allows scientists to become comfortable with the idea that all of what we understand to be true is an approximation of absolute truth.

Thus, the essence of science is the continual search for the truth.

The Nature of Social Truths

Social truths are beliefs or ideas that gain acceptance within a community or society, regardless of whether they hold up under objective scrutiny. These truths are powerful because they shape our behaviors, values, and perceptions. For example, societal norms and cultural beliefs often fall under this category. While they may or may not be universally true, they are considered true within the context of the group.

Plato’s Cave: A Metaphor for Perception and Truth

To further understand the nature of truth, we can look to Plato’s famous Allegory of the Cave. In this analogy, prisoners are chained inside a dark cave, facing a blank wall. Behind them is a fire, and between the fire and the prisoners is a parapet where puppeteers can walk. The prisoners cannot see the puppets behind them; they see only the shadows cast on the wall by the objects carried by the puppeteers. These shadows are the only reality the prisoners know.

One day, a prisoner is freed and discovers the fire and the objects causing the shadows. Eventually, he is brought out of the cave into the sunlight, where he sees the world in its true form for the first time. When he returns to the cave to inform the other prisoners, they reject his revelations, preferring the familiar shadows.

Plato's Cave is a powerful metaphor for our understanding of the nature of truth and our collective perception of it. The shadows on the wall represent the social truths or beliefs that a group accepts but may not reflect reality. The journey out of the cave symbolizes the difficult process of seeking and discovering absolute truths, which often challenges our preconceived notions.

The Quest for Absolute Truth

If your goal is to discover an absolute truth—a truth that holds regardless of personal beliefs or societal norms—it's crucial to recognize that you're operating under the influence of personal and social truths. These other "truths" can cloud your judgment, making it difficult to discern what is objectively true.

When your motivation is to be "right," you are more likely to be influenced by personal and social truths. This desire to be correct in the eyes of others or to align with your group's beliefs can distort your understanding of reality. However, if your goal is to search for the truth—regardless of whether it aligns with your preconceived notions or the beliefs of those around you—you are less likely to fall victim to these influences.

Practical Advice: Applying Carl Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit

Carl Sagan’s "Baloney Detection Kit" provides a set of tools that can help you navigate the murky waters of truth-seeking. Here’s how you can use these tools to get closer to absolute truth:

1. Seek Independent Confirmation: Don’t rely on a single source of information. Cross-check facts from multiple, independent sources to verify their accuracy. Also, vet the motivations of your sources. Are they credible? Do they have something to gain when they sway your beliefs?
2. Engage in Debate: Discuss your ideas with knowledgeable individuals, especially those who may hold different viewpoints. This helps test the strength of your arguments and exposes you to alternative perspectives.
3. Avoid Authority Worship: Just because someone is an expert or holds a position of power doesn't mean their statements are beyond scrutiny. Evaluate the evidence supporting their claims rather than accepting them at face value.
4. Quantify Claims: Whenever possible, look for quantifiable data that supports a claim. Numbers and statistics provide clarity and help avoid vague generalizations.
5. Examine the Chain of Argument: Ensure that every step in an argument is logically sound and supported by evidence. A weak link in the chain can undermine the entire conclusion.
6. Apply Occam's Razor: When faced with competing hypotheses, the simplest one that explains the facts is often the closest to the truth. This doesn't mean the simplest answer is always right, but it should be your starting point.
7. Test for Falsifiability: A claim that cannot be tested or potentially disproven is not a solid foundation for truth. Look for evidence that could refute the claim and see if it holds up under scrutiny.

By consciously applying these principles, you can better navigate the complex landscape of personal, social, and absolute truths. The key is to approach your quest for truth with an open mind and a critical eye, being aware of the influences that may sway your judgment. Ultimately, the search for truth is less about being "right" and more about understanding the world as it truly is.

References and Further Reading

• Kitlertsirivatana, Edward. "Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Three Truths." Medium. Available at: Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Three Truths (opens in a new tab)
• Sagan, Carl. "The Fine Art of Baloney Detection." Parade Magazine, February 1, 1987. Available at: The Fine Art of Baloney Detection (opens in a new tab)
• Tyson, Neil deGrasse. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2017.
• Kahneman, Daniel. Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011.
• Taleb, Nassim Nicholas. The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable. New York: Random House, 2007.
• Harari, Yuval Noah. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. New York: Harper, 2015.

These references provide a deeper understanding of how truth is perceived, how biases can influence our perception of reality, and how we can strive to uncover truths that are more universally applicable. Whether you're interested in the philosophical underpinnings of truth or practical tools for critical thinking, these sources offer valuable insights.