Questions on Truth
How do you know what is true (in education or elsewhere)?
Truth is tricky, because
something that is considered as truth to one person may not be truth to someone
else. For example, religion is considered true to some and not to others. I
guess what I know to be true is in part based on my belief systems, lived
experience and ongoing learning (which includes practicing humility, in order
to learn new ideas).
I would also consider logic as a
process to arrive to truth. Therefore, I believe in outputs of math and
scientific analysis as truthful, or working towards truth.
What would convince you that something is true?
Research and scientific findings,
supported by experts (who I define as those who have studied a specific field
over a lengthy time, and can relate back to current society).
What counts as evidence?
Research and scientific analysis
and conclusions, and people’s honest lived experiences.
Is there anything outside of science that you would count as true? What about phenomena that science has not yet thoroughly studied, but will be studying in future? (For example, what about a traditional medicinal herb that science has not yet tested: could you say that it is true that a particular herb might have curative properties before it was thoroughly studied by science?)
ReplyDeleteYes! What is missing from my response is my trust in others and their stories. Those who I believe in, I trust their version of truth, unless I gain evidence that I believe contradicts their truth. So science may not believe in a traditional medicinal herb, but if those I trust do, I may be more inclined to believe it as truth as well. For example maybe the person I trust is someone who has learned the histories of this medicine. Or maybe it is also a friend who has learned from one they trust the histories of this medicine.
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