Finding Truth: A Journey Beyond Personal Perspectives
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Chapter 1: The Quest for Truth
This essay aims to tackle a significant issue: discovering truths applicable to our lives that are built on a foundation stronger than mere personal beliefs.
Why is this endeavor important?
Acting from a place of genuine truth empowers you and provides ownership over your actions. Anxiety often stems from feeling a lack of control, as if your reality is dictated by external factors. Without understanding, you cannot control your circumstances. For example, while you might experience fleeting peace, a minor change can plunge you back into chaos.
This desire for control drives the concept of “empowerment.” Individuals seek to comprehend their realities to minimize reliance on others for navigating life’s challenges.
Why is uncovering the truth so challenging?
- You are your only advocate in this quest; others may prefer you to depend on them.
- The human mind is inherently creative and often distracts itself from perceiving reality.
- Imitation is common among humans, but mimicking others doesn’t reveal the underlying truths.
Section 1.1: What Constitutes Reality?
Some argue that reality exists solely within the human mind, as everything we perceive is filtered through our awareness. This leads to the famous declaration, “I think, therefore I am,” emphasizing that consciousness cannot be an illusion. Statements like "this hurts" or "I’m hungry" reflect subjective experiences.
However, skeptics argue that objective claims, such as “that’s a table,” could be misleading, as our perceptions might be deceptive. Philosopher Bishop Berkeley once held this view, but when confronted by Samuel Johnson—who famously kicked a rock and declared, “I refute it thus”—he demonstrated that certain entities can be known to exist through their tangible interactions.
For instance, if someone suffers from a mental illness causing hallucinations, those imagined figures lack independent complexity. A cure for the hallucinations would eliminate them entirely, whereas actual observers would leave undeniable evidence of their presence.
Section 1.2: The Scientific Method of Truth-Seeking
Scientists begin by forming a conjecture to explain puzzling phenomena. The most effective theories should be comprehensive yet resistant to alteration. Each aspect of a valid theory is essential; if experimental evidence disproves it, the theory must be discarded.
For example, claiming that 1 kg of grass cures the common cold could be easily dismissed if a test fails. If I then insist it requires 2 kg without a solid explanation, I risk perpetuating an unfounded theory. In contrast, a theory with precise, testable predictions holds weight against falsification.
Karl Popper articulated the importance of falsifiability in “The Logic of Scientific Discovery.” He proposed that universal statements cannot be derived from singular instances but can be refuted by them. For instance, while one cannot use the mortality of Socrates to prove all men are mortal, it can disprove the claim that all men are immortal.
Chapter 2: The Intersection of Personal and Scientific Truth
The concept of falsification serves as a bridge between personal experiences and scientific truths. Unlike scientists, we lack the capacity to rigorously test our beliefs. Our life experiences often reveal moments when cherished beliefs crumble, such as discovering infidelity or recognizing unattainable dreams.
Truth manifests when our expectations collide with reality.
Summarizing the scientific discovery process:
- Identify a problem.
- Formulate a creative conjecture.
- Assess existing knowledge to determine if the conjecture merits testing.
- Generate predictions stemming from the conjecture.
- Conduct tests.
- If predictions are falsified, abandon the theory for a more viable one.
- Repeat the process.
Why emphasize ‘creative conjecture’?
A problem, by definition, indicates a gap in knowledge. Thus, solutions require imaginative thinking. The phrase “how to find the truth” may seem contradictory; it implies a systematic approach using existing knowledge, yet often we lack complete understanding.
In fact, I propose that true joy arises from engaging creatively with incomplete information, while boredom stems from total comprehension of one’s situation.
Ultimately, humans will never arrive at a definitive solution; that notion is utopian. A fulfilling life is characterized by continuous exploration and creative engagement with uncertainty.
To truly grasp an idea, one must conduct personal experiments rather than relying on another’s advice. Only through this process can one experience a genuine “moment of truth.”
This video, “What is your truth? Find it, Live it.” by Eghosa Oriaikhi, discusses the importance of personal truths and how to live authentically.
In this video, “How to see past your own perspective and find truth” by Michael Patrick Lynch, viewers are guided on overcoming subjective biases to uncover deeper truths.