Posted by John Gray Wallace on 7/6/2009, 11:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Scandals"
68.230.95.193
Hello Parker. Your arguments are, as always, fascinating.
I am amused by Blackburn's charming anecdote. But would point out that, in philosophy, that an idea even "works" (the "Pragmatic" criterion) is not considered a valid "proof" of Truth. Since an idea may work for reasons totally unrelated to the hypothesis supporting the idea, itself. Hence the "apparent" working of the idea is a chimera.
The one who posits the relativity of Truth, of course, posits that as an absolute Truth, and so involves himself in a logical contradiction which dispels any notion of the correctness of his position.
St. Anselm defined God as "A Being greater than Whom no other being can be conceived." A consistent God may be seen as greater than an inconsistent God, hence the logic of extrapolating absolutes is almost irrefutable.
That Truth is, therefore, a "thing-in-itself", to use some Kantian verbiage can, in this context, be agreed. However it is also true that we, as finite beings, are compelled to perceive this objective entity, this "thing-in-itself" we call "Truth" from our own subjective perspectives. And therein lies the rub for each of us. Hence, although I can believe in Absolute Truth and Verities, I can also understand how so many can perceive these things so differently.
Nietzsche was not right about much, but he was right when he declared that, "Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies." However, our inability to discern objective, or Absolute Truth in its totality is not a proof that it does not exist. That inability is merely a reflection of our own imperfection.
This is why, Parker, I can see your side but argue mine, in this instance.
By the way, I doubt Carter's depth of understanding permitted him when he gave that interview to reason through the things he said as you have done. I doubt he is that deep. I suspect you may be imputing to him your thoughts on what he meant.
With utmost respect,
John
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