TRUTH
Paper on Truth and its attributes in context of
newer description methodology DNSEA
By Deepak Loomba
Contents
Definition of Truth
Truth
is concurrence of an assumption or hypothesis with objective[1] empirical
evidence, using common reason[2]
and State-of-the-Art technology[3].
The degree of concurrence varies for different fields - as an example in social
sciences concurrence can be statistical or heuristic, while in mathematics, it
is complete literal concurrence.
Hence,
1.
“Truth is always
established. It is not inherent (doesn’t exist on its own)”.
2.
That which
exists on its own are facts and phenomena.
3.
While knowledge is
the function of links and relationships amongst facts, phenomena, views and
human imagination (amongst each other and themselves).
Truth and it's fitness for purpose
The
need of investigation to establish truth invariably has a purpose, in case the
nature and content of truth does not fulfill the purpose for which it is meant
to be established, the output can't / shouldn't be treated as established
truth. The reason being it’s inadequacy to fully address the purpose concurring
the underlying assumption(s) or hypothesis under scrutiny.
Statistical
Truths (explained ahead) have a minimum data requirement and minimum duration
of scrutiny that should be established to then verify the concurrence of an
assumption to empirical evidence for establishment of truth.
Half-Truths
Half-truths
are important to be mentioned as they are a common occurrence in social lives.
Often people cherry pick data to suit an assumption. Such establishment of
truths is erroneous. Therefore, the size & duration for which data or
information is scrutinized or analyzed should be chosen carefully to avoid
half-truths truths posed as truths.
Truth and its constraints
Truth
and scale
Static
truths (explained ahead), are not constrained in scale. Which means an
established truth will remain valid independent of the times it is probed.
An
exclusion to the aforementioned constraints are dynamic truths (explained ahead
e.g. in case of statistical and heuristic evidences) which may vary by influx
of data.
Properties
of Truth
Truths
have no properties, in reality. But often humans use various adjectives to
express their perception of truth.
These
adjectives that are often used to cjaracterize truths are actually emotional
connect of a person to the established truth owing to his predispositions,
benefits ot disadvantages that shall accrue to him on establishment of truths.
Hence, use of phrases like 'bitter truths', 'hard truths' etc.
Truth
and GeoAmbience
Most
Truths are constrained by geoambience (means location and environs). There are
very few truths that are independent of geoambience. Generally, established
truths that are free from geoambience constraints are those of the microcosm. A
good example would be - "water falls from table on floor". This
statement is valid only for earth. In space this truth is not valid. Therefore,
a more precise truth to state will be inclusive of constraints. Hence, a more precise
statement would be - "water falls from table on floor, when on
earth".
Ownership
of Truth
One
of the major attributes of truth as stated in the first section is lack of
subjectivity. Hence, an established truth stands scrutiny of/for anyone. If a
truth is a personal truth, then the said truth is a mere semantic confusion,
because truths cannot be personal. Believes, ethics self-interest, religion
etc. are practices. They are subjective (whether personal or community) and
hence don't lend themselves to the scrutiny of common objective reasoning or
concurrence with any facts, phenomena or empirical evidence, at all. Therefore,
they are beyond categorization as truths and should be retained as practices.
Of course, individual assumptions of ethics or religion can be subjected to
concurrence with empirical evidence, the result of which is pre-determined and
obvious, hence is not being stated.
Statistical Evidences for establishment of
truths.
In
all those cases where statistics is itself the evidence to establish a truth,
it is important to establish durational constraints (min. as well as max.) for
which the data has to be captured or scrutiny is to be done as well as the min.
quantity/size of the data, and its properties, to establish a statistical or
heuristic truth.
Dynamic Truths
These
are such truths that are usually established through inductive reasoning and
have a tendency to alter by virtue of their being data based. With influx of
newer divergent data, dynamic truths might vary, alter or collapse thereby
requiring a change in underlying assumptions or even declassification of
certain truths as untrue.
Static Truths
These
are truths that are established through concurrence of assumptions or
hypothesis to natural or spontaneous phenomena (or axioms) usually using
deductive reasoning. An example would be a statement - "water falls from
table on floor". This assumption concurs with natural and spontaneous
phenomena and will hence be applicable for very long durations of time.
Static
truths are non-statistical and generally do not vary with time and additional
influx of data.
[1]
That which remain unchanged irrespective of the person (actor or observer).
[2] Note
use of phrase 'common reason'. This is important because personal and
subjective reasons cannot be used for establishing truths. Deductive reasoning
should be relied upon for establishment of Static Truths, while inductive
reasoning for Dynamic Truths.
[3] Used
the word 'technology' not knowledge - because technology is objective and
provides same result for any/all users. Knowledge can be subjective and
personal (it can be relationships amongst views or even with/amongst
imaginations and assumptions). It is therefore, important to understand that
all assumptions and hypothesis that are concurred with scientific or data based
evidences, that are themselves conjectures should not be labelled as Truths.
They retain their status as conjectures or hypothesis.
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