I'm writing a sonnet about it, and I need inspiration and reference :)
2006-12-08 15:27:13 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
"The problem is, the truth hurts. And it's even harder to admit that you're wrong."
This link will get you some very good citations.
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2006-12-08 15:43:41 · answer #1 · answered by ••Mott•• 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dismiss anyone who says there is no truth. Either what they say is true or it is not. And if they want to argue that truth may be indeterminate, then the onus is on them to show how their claim that there is no truth is an indeterminate one. If they demonstrate it, then it must be true that it is indeterminate. If they cannot demonstrate it, then it must be true they cannot demonstrate it. Either way, you have truth, and that probably hurts them. Besides, making an absolute statement that there is no truth, is self-destructive because it is either true that their are no truths or it is false that there are no truths. But if the former obtains, then it is true and his statement is false. if the latter obtains, then it is false, and his statement is false. Either way, truth has remained unscathed.
Socrates threw the very notion of facing the truth into the face of the Athenians, and he got a hemlock cocktail for it. See Plato's Apology, Crito, and Euthyphro. But virtually all philosophers who have discussed ethics in relation to truth have addressed this issue: Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, all the Stoics, Boethius, Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal, Spinoza, Kant, Nietzsche, and down the line.
Even though Jesus joyfully gave himself for others, when Jesus was in the garden, he prayed and said, "Lord, if it be your will, let this cup pass before me. But not my will be done, but yours." Despite the joy f dying for the sake of others, he had to face the painful truth that there was no other way in God's plan. Consider also Abraham's dilemma, in the book of Genesis, when God commands him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. When looking this over you might also want to take a look at Kierkegaard's analysis of it.
This should be plenty to begin with. I hope it's helpful.
2006-12-09 00:27:09 · answer #2 · answered by lovetheshwee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thinking about your question, I immediately remembered the Buddha's teaching "All is suffering". I don't think Nietzsche was happy when he saw that "God is dead." I began turning over in my mind favourite poems and realised that most, excluding those dealing with requited love, patriotism, inspiration, spirituality or small triumphs, were about the incredible sadness of looking into the teeth of life (truth). "Out, out brief candle, life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and is seen no more." Macbeth, facing his wife's death and his imminent own. Any list I might compile would be highly personal, . I recommend any good anthology..
2006-12-09 00:06:24 · answer #3 · answered by Trader S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you speak the truth to a a person that as lied they will become angry and violent, That is because you have hurt then. People do no like to here the truth about themselves. It hurts them when they have no explanation to cover it up. the Truth will always have that effect just take a long look at yourself you will see what I say is true.
It is a common fault of all humans to lie and then try to cover up your miss givings.
2006-12-09 00:17:34 · answer #4 · answered by aiddogs5 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm sorry i don't have an answer to your question but in response to sophist, the above comment
how can you absolutely deny the existence of truth? Truth is present everywhere, but it takes an open-mind to see it
2006-12-08 23:43:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Nietzsche tried hard to stare into the abyss, so I would put him in this category.
Walter Benjamin...
2006-12-09 00:01:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What truth? There is none.
2006-12-08 23:28:57 · answer #7 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋