
Originally Posted by
forester
Just to be honest, the subject about "truth" has been a headache of philosophers until this time. It was the bases of all persecutions, inquisitions, excommunications and other form of maltreatment which exist in another form until today. This "truth" was considered as one of the most difficult area of philosophical research and thesis writing for students, may they be from the undergraduate to the graduate up to the post-graduate studies. Although there is already a sort of formula crafted by some thinkers of the past pertaining with truth, still their guidelines doesn't provide the answer to the question such as the one asked "who has the truth?".
Only the arrogant mind could afford to pretend that he knew the thing called "truth". It is not something which could be associated with a concrete object, but some philosophers opined (although their opinions were diversified) that is it something produced by one's mental conformity, such as the belief of a god or any other diefied characters.
Other philosophers offered classifications on the possible measurement of truths, they were:
1. Correspondence Theory of Truth - it refers to the truth where there is confirmation of the existence of the object which corresponds with the statement. Ex. All stones are solid matters.
2. Corehence Theory of Truth - it refers to the truth which will necessarily follow from the correct reasoning even the object has not been proven existent. Ex. 10 + 10 = 20
3. Pragmatic Theory of Truth - it refers to the truth which is confirmed by the results. Ex. Biogesic tablet is a true cure for headaches because it works.
4. Conventional Theory of Truth- it refers to the truth which is solely based on the common agreement of humanity or of any group of individuals. Ex. The supremacy of a dollar currency; the Law; the value of gold costs a lot than a bronze; etc.
Now, which truth do our persuasions were aimed into?
God is true (that is #4)
All crows are black - and this is true (that is #1)
Anesthesia can deceive the senses to feel pain - this is true according to results (this is #3)
When Felix is a cat and a cat has a tail, it follows that Felix has a tail - this is true according to correct thinking (this is #2)
Skeptics (another classification of thinkers) maintained that there is no truth because it is only a matter of perception.
In law, truth is something which a result of appreciation from the authority (like the judge); versions of truths will be presented by the defense and prosecution. The spectators had also their own appreciation of truth and also the jury (in another territory). The truth of the MTC judge maybe overturned by the RTC judge on appeal, then it could be revived or rejected by the Court of Appeals Justices on review on the same TRUTH and maybe totally abrogated by the Magistrates of the Supreme Court when in their appreciation that particular truth is no truth at all.
Recent events suggested that the "truth" appreciation maybe altered by a negotiable considerations, lets say a million pesos will do. In this instance, truth depends on whose lips are to be listened to.
I hope this discussion helps.