Friday, November 19, 2010

Simple method for truth

How can you test your intellectual position against the truth?  After all, not one of us is objective.  If you think you are, you and I are in disagreement, and it is your burden to prove your objectivity.  I’ll be interested in your evidence.  Good luck.

We all have personal, cultural, societal, educational presuppositions and preferences.  Some are more true, and some are less.  We are like the man standing on the earth trying to figure out its shape.  The astronaut looks from above, and sees truthfully.  We need to do our best to become like the astronaut.  How do we remove ourselves from our own position?

First, we have to be aware of where we are - as the man on the earth.  He cannot judge by his sight.  He has to find other, better data.  We have to find what limits our ability to know the truth.  I judge as a woman - but need to hear the man's perspective to overcome my female bias.  I have to know I have a female bias, as well as presuppositions based on where I live, my economic level, educational level, etc.  The more one identifies, the more one is able to limit their ability to falsely inform him.

Then secondly, I need to test what I believe to be true against what I know to be true.  We use this method in driving all the time.  We know that the car can skid in the rain, snow and ice.  We don't doubt it, we KNOW this to be true.  A person would be considered either foolish or crazy (not to mention dangerous) to not consider this fact true. 

But what about what cannot be quantified?  Regarding non-physical, we must have some starting point.  Mine is the Bible, and it is a sure standard.  It is held true by God Himself. What is your standard?

People who say that they're objective have just not acknowledged that they have preconceived beliefs.  That stands in the way of their search for the truth.  Figure out your standard, that by which you judge facts.  Is it science?  a religious book or leader?  common sense?  Whatever it is, identify it, and work to separate yourself from it.  See what it is apart from you.  Is it worthy of building your life, your future, your family's future, on?  Finding your presuppositions and your belief system is the beginning of being able to separate from the gravity of the earth and be able to actually look down on it - not the earth, in fact, but the truth.

Welcome to the start of finding the truth!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The truth

The truth is that I intend to edit whatever I post, but today I am winging it with my first post.  Today a drink that is marketed to youth may be taken from the market - one that has the potent equivalent of 4 beers, one red bull and coffee.  What is wrong with this society?  Profiling is allowed in hiring, but not by the TSA, to avoid a plane being blown up.  And my Senator has stated she is against earmarks, but votes to send earmarks to every other state in the union.  Huh?  As the kindly professor said, "When did they quit teaching logic in schools?"  A long time ago.  But we are made in God's image, and are capable of logical thought, even if we weren't taught it formally.  America, start going with your hunches!  Stop trusting those who are saying what your "spidey sense" is telling you doesn't make sense.  Apply the same reason to government that you do to your own finances.  Test to see what really works in the real world.  Your children's lives may depend on your rejecting the falsehood being yelled at you constantly, and taking responsibility for your government.  Thanks for your time!