What Is Truth?

What is truth? Is it objective, something outside us? Is it subjective, something exclusively in our minds? These kinds of questions can be tricky but they don't have to be. Let's start by defining our terms. I like this particular wording from Merriam-Webster because it gives us a definition that is useful:
truth the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality


This definition alone starts to clear up some of the questions we might have about truth.

Objective or Subjective?

objective (link)
of, relating to, or being an object, phenomenon, or condition in the realm of sensible experience independent of individual thought and perceptible by all observers : having reality independent of the mind
subjective (link)
characteristic of or belonging to reality as perceived rather than as independent of mind

In one sense, truth (as defined above) can be thought of as subjective. It's a construct of concepts that correspond (are in accord) with objective reality and concepts are of the mind. When the mind goes, the concepts do as well. This is not to say that truth is whatever we want it to be. On the contrary, truth has to correspond to reality. If this correspondence fails, the concept you hold is not true. Truth seems to hold elements of subjectivity and objectivity. It acts as a bridge between subjective experience and objective reality. This is how I see truth.

Consider a metaphor. Like truth it corresponds to something.

Metaphor: Electric circuits are like rivers.
In this metaphor, the "river" is what we have in our minds. The subjective component of the metaphor.
"Electric circuits" are what really exist. The objective component of the metaphor.
Truth Claim: Gravity pulls matter toward itself.
In this truth claim, there are concepts that compose it: gravity, pulling, matter, direction, etc. These concepts break down into other concepts until we get to something that is perceived by our senses. All of this stuff is utterly mind-dependent. In a word, it's subjective.
All of these concepts, however, come together to describe something that other minds can experience independent of my own. These concepts correspond to something: reality. That is the objective component of truth.

What do you think about this model of truth? Is it correct? Is it... true?

Epistemology

Epistemology tries to answer questions like:

1. What is knowledge?
2. What is truth?
3. How should we form beliefs?
4. How do I know what I know?

When thinking about which epistemology is correct, we come across an interesting paradox. How do we know that a certain epistemology is correct? To answer that question, we'd have to have an epistemology already established.... and whether you realize it or not, you already do. If you think you know anything at all, you have an epistemology. You can't have knowledge without a method of acquiring it. It just doesn't make sense. Maybe you haven't thought about it explicitly before. Maybe you don't always apply it consistently to everything you call "knowledge." But you do have an epistemology.
As we weigh various epistemologies against one another, here are the criteria I think we should be looking for:

1. Internal Consistency. Does the method make sense? Are we guaranteed not to arrive at contradictory knowledge with this method?
2. Usefulness. Knowledge is a tool and it should be demonstrably useful. Does the method help us with real-life day-to-day scenarios? Does it produce workable, useful results?
3. Reality-Based. Knowledge is about the truth of reality. Does this method link us to reality in a coherent and logical way?
4. Complete. Does the method define the terms knowledge, truth & belief? Does it lay out specific methods to follow for discovering knowledge?

These are just my idea of what a good epistemology is. Do you think these are valid criteria? Would you perhaps add you own? Would you remove one of my mine? Let me know what you think and why in the comments section.

After we get this nailed down, we will take a look at some specific epistemologies and see how they measure up.

What is Philalethea?

Philalethea?

It is an invented word from the Greek:

• "Philo" is a prefix meaning "love of"... just like philosophy is the "love of wisdom."
• "Alethea" is the word for "Truth"

That should really sum it up about me and the purpose behind this blog. When I engage in discussion about philosophical topics, I don't just want to hear arguments for each side and then stop. The end-game in philosophy is to form well-thought views that correspond to reality; views that are true.

Philosophical View Testing

I have a lot of views on a lot of different philosophical topics... and I am betting you do too! I don't want to just push my own views. I think my views are correct... but just because I think that doesn't mean they are. What better way to test my views than in a public context where they can be subjected to criticism and critique from others. "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17)

If we are lucky, we might even come to consensus in the course of discussion. And if we do, then it is worth the time.

Where to Start

A natural starting point for this blog will be a more detailed exposition of my own philosophical views. It's my hope that this will be a catalyst for discussion. In the end, I would like to spend a majority of my time responding to detractors (people who disagree with my views.) I would like to consider them and weigh them publicly and openly. I hope you'll join me on this journey toward a more collaborative and convergent philosophy.