Understanding Reality and Truth: A Philosophical Inquiry
Understanding Reality and Truth
Do we live in reality or in truth? Is there a single, objective reality, or is truth an attempt to mold objectified reality, biased by the limits of imperfect human perception?
We believe that truth should align with reality, a reality that is not completely known. Therefore, truth should constantly strive to reflect reality. We live in a reality that we try to objectify, but not definitively. Truth consists of concepts created by humans to conform to a reality that we don’t fully know. Thus, we could refer to our reality as a relative reality.
The Bias of Perception
Our position is based on the idea that our perception of reality is, or might be, biased. As René Descartes stated, “The senses are unreliable.” Consider the example of a statue given the sense of smell and presented with a rose. Even though the reality is the rose, its truth would be limited to the smell of that rose, constrained by perception. We argue that truth attempts to approximate reality, or what we perceive as reality. We are speaking of a relative reality and a method to achieve objectified reality. As Bachelard said, “Determining an objective means not define an absolute, but to prove that a method is correctly applied.” Therefore, we strive for a truly objective method to approach a relative reality.
According to Spinoza, “The idea of truth is clear and distinct, removes all doubt…” This may appear contradictory, but it illustrates that reality often contradicts the terms invented by humans.
The Quest for Truth
So, do we live in reality or in truth? As previously stated, our vision of reality is limited by our senses. Reality cannot be grasped in its totality. Perceptions of reality are constantly changing and differ for each person; thus, truths should also be different. Is the quest for absolute and universal truth impossible? We believe that a perfectly right and just reality does not exist. However, this does not mean that there is no truth, only that to find it, we must delve beyond the trivial level to which we are accustomed.
The Nature of Truth
What do we mean by this? First, truth and untruth are notions that we have learned to grasp. The word “truth” is merely a name unrelated to the real nature of the object and significantly affected by our perception. On the other hand, the concept of reality goes beyond the simple inspection of an object or event and relates to the true idea.
Differing Perceptions
The differences between human beings, not only in appearance but also intellectually and psychologically, have much to do with the different perceptions of reality, which originate all these questions. It is therefore appropriate to ask whether you can really know something. Observers and judges of reality are defined by our senses, which is why we find it impossible to capture and communicate what we have perceived. Would it be possible to express in words what has been? It is impossible to communicate the whole message because we are different; no two people are thinking the exact same thing at the moment when one says that thing to another, since something cannot be in two places at a time. And if it were possible that something unique was in the two subjects at the same time, both of which are different, there is nothing which requires that they represent it in the same way.
Living in a World Governed by Truth
Consider the hypothetical case in which we live in a world governed by what we know and affirm as real. What would be our way? Would we depend on it? Would there be any difference to our lives today? We think not. We live in a real world, indeed and in truth. We believe that the reality of each person is different, and each objectifies their world differently. The shape and the image you have depends on you and your nature.
Now, if they say we were living in a world governed by truth, is this possible? Would it affect our daily lives? To what extent would it “recommend” itself? All our lives, we have leaned on something, which to be true, and on that basis, we have built our lives. A truth may be a fact, an idea, anything that you find truly secure. In a world governed by truth, there would be no need to feel insecure and lose the notion of truth as an immutable characteristic of things. In a world governed by truth, we would not live alone with real truths, but in one big real reality.