27
July
The approaches to discovering or obtaining truth
July 27, 2021
Quora question: How are we even sure that our definition of good and bad is actually correct?
I am grateful for this question. Thanks.
No. We are not. There is absolute truth, and we, by various means, are left to discover it.
Ways of finding truth (and morality – good/bad)
- Rationality: For rationality, humanity must first create a definition for what it is to know something. I have done that here: LINK. I could be wrong, but I am not alone in proposing the basic structure. Nevertheless, it is merely a definition/hypothesis. To preserve rationality, the definition requires that one must accept that they can never know (that is, know absolutely) absolute truth/absolute reality. This also includes, notably, what it means to be either good or bad.
- Divinity: The religious get some of their truths from the Creator. This of course means that they believe that they know who the Creator is, and that the Creator has spoken to them (like through the 10 Commandments). And, who can say that they are wrong? I can’t.
However, most religions don’t purport to offer all truths for life through the Creator. So the religious must use 1, 3, or 4 to discover the rest of life’s truths. If they are going to use rationality and think for themselves, this puts in question the existence of the Creator (and the 10 commandments) in doubt. And therein is the problem for humanity. Yet, people being people, if they thought they knew absolutely who the Creator is, would wreak havoc on the rest of humanity in his name. And, that has happened. I am glad they cannot KNOW.
Yet, I am also thankful religions exist. Religions are the means through which morality is passed generation to generation. Religions are essential. If humanity had to learn good/bad every generation, life could not progress. Quite simply, religions possess inter-generational knowledge key to a society’s survival and success. - Irrationality: People choosing truth as if they were God and KNEW what was true/good. Tending towards Utopianism. The irrational (Marxists, Critical Theorists, Postmodernists) argue that they can identify truths. Their identified truths, of course, rely upon truths created with prior reasoning or divine direction. They necessarily reject both (rationality and divinity) for present decisions, and that’s how they are irrational. This is also why great oppression has occurred at their hands. The irrational are a great danger for freedom of thought.
- Evolutionary: Finally, there is emotional decision making. When emotions guide (rather than inform) our decision making, I believe we are using our old (old brain from an evolutionary standpoint). It works, sort of. Other animals survive with it. Here, decision making is through evolutionary selection. Animals get “smarter” over generations.
Morality could, and probably has, passed through evolution.
Humans are likely a mix. I wish however, we would improve and emphasize 1 and 2.
