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Penelope_Tree
Shamanic Panic



Registered: 07/31/09
Posts: 8,535
Loc: magic sugarcastle
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How the meaning of "truth" has changed
#18885115 - 09/24/13 01:59 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Had to write this up for a class and thought it would be an interesting topic to put out there for y'all.
Quote:
It is interesting to note the progression of the word "truth" over time. What once started as a means to express conformity has shifted to the more abstract meaning of what constitutes reality. The modern definition is unapologetically circular, since one must first question what it means to "constitute reality" and then calling those things, even illusions, truth. What does that say about those who search for truth?
Most assuredly, those who use the word "truth" in the modern era mean something like "the way things actually are." It is not difficult to see the archaic influences upon the word, then. For a time when religion and it's tenants ruled people's lives with an iron-fist, deviation from the accepted norm was considered a life without God and, therefore, untruthful. The year 2013 is appreciably more complex than 1828, especially in regards to widespread knowledge of different models of thinking. Today's notion of truth consists of integrated information from varying cultural viewpoints.
What was once a measure used to denounce and uphold rhetoric has become an equilizer. What used to mean a death sentence for those who dared to disagree now means an open dialogue with a chance to cross bridges. This shows globalization and a tendency towards humanitarianism.
The topic was how the word "truth" has changed over time, especially in the context of dictionary entries and what that means about "educated society."
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teknix
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Re: How the meaning of "truth" has changed [Re: Penelope_Tree]
#18885129 - 09/24/13 02:02 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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What about objective truth verse self-evident truth?
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Raven Gnosis
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Re: How the meaning of "truth" has changed [Re: Penelope_Tree]
#18885175 - 09/24/13 02:13 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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This is a big part of the reason I say that truth is circumstantial, as what that is is going to be largely dependent on the observer and his/her idea of what that is, whether it be personally, culturally/religiously or historically relevant...
There is what is, then there is truth.
-------------------- To be human is to be fettered, to endure what one is, in perpetuum, no matter what the debility or perversity.
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zappaisgod
horrid asshole


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Re: How the meaning of "truth" has changed [Re: Penelope_Tree]
#18886079 - 09/24/13 06:07 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Penelope_Tree said: Had to write this up for a class and thought it would be an interesting topic to put out there for y'all.
Quote:
It is interesting to note the progression of the word "truth" over time. What once started as a means to express conformity has shifted to the more abstract meaning of what constitutes reality. The modern definition is unapologetically circular, since one must first question what it means to "constitute reality" and then calling those things, even illusions, truth. What does that say about those who search for truth?
That was awesome.Quote:
Most assuredly, those who use the word "truth" in the modern era mean something like "the way things actually are." It is not difficult to see the archaic influences upon the word, then. For a time when religion and it's tenants ruled people's lives with an iron-fist, deviation from the accepted norm was considered a life without God and, therefore, untruthful. The year 2013 is appreciably more complex than 1828, especially in regards to widespread knowledge of different models of thinking. Today's notion of truth consists of integrated information from varying cultural viewpoints.
I think most of the people who use "truth" in the modern world are snake oil salesmen just as much as 200 years or 400 years or 2000 years ago. Except meQuote:
What was once a measure used to denounce and uphold rhetoric has become an equilizer. What used to mean a death sentence for those who dared to disagree now means an open dialogue with a chance to cross bridges. This shows globalization and a tendency towards humanitarianism.
You might want to consider Islamists and other totalitarians in your description of humanity and not just Western societyQuote:
The topic was how the word "truth" has changed over time, especially in the context of dictionary entries and what that means about "educated society."
There are different kinds of pariahs (in the West) today. They don't get killed but they do get punished
You wrote that? I would love to have a chat. We should chat more
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Memories



Registered: 05/09/12
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Re: How the meaning of "truth" has changed [Re: Penelope_Tree]
#18888719 - 09/25/13 10:51 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Penelope_Tree said: Had to write this up for a class and thought it would be an interesting topic to put out there for y'all.
Quote:
It is interesting to note the progression of the word "truth" over time. What once started as a means to express conformity has shifted to the more abstract meaning of what constitutes reality. The modern definition is unapologetically circular, since one must first question what it means to "constitute reality" and then calling those things, even illusions, truth. What does that say about those who search for truth?
Most assuredly, those who use the word "truth" in the modern era mean something like "the way things actually are." It is not difficult to see the archaic influences upon the word, then. For a time when religion and it's tenants ruled people's lives with an iron-fist, deviation from the accepted norm was considered a life without God and, therefore, untruthful. The year 2013 is appreciably more complex than 1828, especially in regards to widespread knowledge of different models of thinking. Today's notion of truth consists of integrated information from varying cultural viewpoints.
What was once a measure used to denounce and uphold rhetoric has become an equilizer. What used to mean a death sentence for those who dared to disagree now means an open dialogue with a chance to cross bridges. This shows globalization and a tendency towards humanitarianism.
The topic was how the word "truth" has changed over time, especially in the context of dictionary entries and what that means about "educated society."
Lovely write-up, Penelope!
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Penelope_Tree
Shamanic Panic



Registered: 07/31/09
Posts: 8,535
Loc: magic sugarcastle
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Re: How the meaning of "truth" has changed [Re: Memories]
#18888939 - 09/25/13 11:54 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Thanks for the feedback!!
Y'all raised some interesting points that I hadn't considered, such as are there different kinds of truth, the competing notions of "truth" in different modern-day "educated societies," and whether or not an unstable concept is even practical. I probably could've also used a paragraph predicting future changes in the meaning of "truth."
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full blown human
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Schmendrick
Last of the Red Hot Swamis



Registered: 08/04/13
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Re: How the meaning of "truth" has changed [Re: Penelope_Tree]
#18893678 - 09/26/13 11:46 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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In any single event there is only one universal and objective truth; it consists of nothing but the facts and physical state of a situation, including the unbiased and unfiltered intentions of those witnessing and participating in the event, and including a quantification of the totality of their experience and emotional state at the time.
Since human perception is obviously completely subjective and we currently have no way to collate and quantify a personal experience, it is 100% impossible to ever arrive at a universally agreed upon absolute, undeniable and infallible truth of any situation. The effort is moot, but that does not mean that absolute truth does not exist or that the pursuit of it is an unworthy endeavor... such pursuit often leads to great personal insight and social change.
Edited by Schmendrick (09/26/13 11:47 AM)
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