Do absolute truths exist? An approach to the nature of reality

The concept of truth has been the subject of discussion since the origin of philosophy. His consideration was perfected until he reached the point of wondering if absolute truths exist. Without a doubt, this topic calls us to reflect on the current time, in which reality can become problematic and distinguishing what is real from what is not, becomes an imperative.

Therefore, in this article we will explore the notion of truth from a philosophical perspective, focusing on absolute truths and their relationship with reality and language. Furthermore, we will analyze the phenomenon of reality from the contributions of philosophy, in relation to the knowledge that we can obtain from it.

The truth: the eternal philosophical problem

The concept of truth has been studied by several philosophers throughout history. One of them was Aristotle, who maintained that truth is a correspondence between our words and their referent in the world, that is, objects.

In this sense, for the philosopher truth is a relationship between a term and the object it designates in realityas pointed out in an article by Areas: International Journal of Communication.

Taking this into account, the philosopher of science Karl Popper takes up this definition of truth postulated by Aristotle. An article published by ENDOXA maintains that for this philosopher Absolute truths are those independent of time and people’s opinions.. In this way, they are timeless and not based on personal or individual beliefs.

Like Aristotle, Popper also considers truth as a correspondence between language and the world.

What do we call reality?

The word “reality” comes from the Latin word reality, which translates as “quality of true things”. This designates everything that we consider as concrete, that is, that of which we have experience. In this aspect, the real is usually identified with the truth. This way, everything we designate as real is true.

However, according to Paloma Pérez-Ilzarbe (2005), professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Navarra, reality surpasses us. In this way, the tools we have to access it are limited.

On the one hand, we have language that allows us to materialize and communicate what we think. On the other hand, we have our mental classification schemes that organize the data of reality.

In this aspect, and very contrary to the previous section, there is an inadequacy of language and thought to express reality. Thus, it would seem that there is no such correspondence between world and language. For many, we must recognize that our categories for thinking about reality are not reality itself, but rather our interpretation.

Absolute truths and relative truths

There is a confrontation between absolute truths and relative truths. The reason for this is depending on the degree of knowledge that human beings can reach in their understanding of the world. And, therefore, the truths that can be achieved.

In this regard, a current of philosophy called materialism maintains that the objects of the world are external to man. Therefore, we can account for the existence of an absolute truth independent of the human being. This line of thought indicates that to know we use our sensations.

In this way, there is a distinction between absolute truths and relative truths, as expressed in an article published by the Mexican Journal of Political and Social Sciences. Thus, those who hold absolute truths take a part of reality and turn it into a truth that does not allow any discussion. For their part, relativists converted objective reality into a relative truth.

However, it is highlighted that Both conceptions consider the idea as the element that determines the production of knowledge.

The parallelism between absolute truths and eternal truths

A parallel is often made between eternal truths and absolute truths. According to Encyclopaedia Herder, the first are attributed to the philosopher Augustine of Hippo. With this term the philosopher designates those immutable truths, that is, they do not change over time. Likewise, he considers them prior to the exercise of reason.

More precisely, it is a justification in favor of the existence of God. Due to this, they cannot be specific to the field of exact, natural sciences or history.

On the other hand, absolute truths are related to the claim to knowledge. This means that Human beings seek to obtain total and complete knowledge of reality. This is actually the purpose pursued by science, since in its continuous development we can achieve more and more truths.

Considering what has been said, eternal truths have their basis in religion, while absolute truths point more to scientific knowledge. However, both are usually taken interchangeably.

The role of sensitivity in determining the truth

However, we cannot leave questions related to truth exclusively in the hands of rationality. As stated in an article by Anagrams, The human interest in accepting and apprehending the truth requires the cultivation of the will.

In this aspect, There must be a will, a desire to accept empirical evidence and the coherence that it can correspond to our ideas.. This will is not something of the rational order, but rather of sensitivity.

It is from the concept of intentionality that we can determine the existence of truth. It is a mental state that has the property of directing or representing events in the world. Very similar to the definition given by Aristotle. Furthermore, objects that can make representations also assume this quality, such as a map that represents a country or a state.

In search of the truth

We cannot rigorously establish an answer to the question of the existence of absolute truths. However, we can be aware of our limitations to know the world around us. Being critical about what we are told and what we perceive can be a way to contribute to the question of what is real and what is not.

Ultimately, the search for truth and understanding the nature of reality are constantly evolving processes. Philosophy invites us to explore, question and rethink our conceptions about the world around us.. In doing so, we move closer to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationship with the universe we inhabit.

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