IS truth relative or absolute?

Question

Truth IS relative.
2 + 2 = 4 (in bases 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5);
2 + 2 = 10 (in base 4);
2 + 2 = 11 (in base 3)
2 + 2 is meaningless in base 2.
So truth depends on your frame of reference, hence truth is relative.

Allah is true (for Muslims)
Jesus is true (for Christians)
Yahweh is true (for Jews)
Bhagwan is true (for Hindus)

Allah is true (for Muslims)
Jesus is true (for Christians)
Yahweh is true (for Jews)
Bhagwan is true (for Hindus)

Answer 1

Even in your example, the truth is the same. You are simply using different systems to find the truth.

If I show you 3 (base 10) bananas and ask you how many there are, if you tell me you see 10 (base 3) bananas you are absolutely correct. You just counted them using a different system, but the number of bananas has not changed. In other words, the number of objects has remained constant, the language used to describe them has changed.

If I drive past you standing on the street going at 20 miles an hour relative to the ground, you would be just as correct saying I was travelling 20mph East as I would be saying you were travelling 20mph West.
But no one has changed speed (relative to some point infinitely far away at least). These are just different uses of language to describe the same occurence. The reference frame has changed, the fact that there is a car travelling 20 mph relative to the ground has not.

To determine truth it is necessary to conform to certain methods of description, because even though our language changes in the way we talk about things, the underlying constants of the universe do not.

However, in cases where someone is flat out WRONG, for example me showing you 3 (base 10) bananas and you telling me you see 10 (base 10) bananas, there can be no doubt that the truth of there being 3 (base 10) bananas has not changed, and neither has the language used to describe it. One party is incorrect in their assumption, and no amount of language can get them out of it.

So when one religion claims YHWH created the universe while another says Zeus or Odin or Mithras did when the "truth" of the matter is it was created by the sneeze of the Great Green Arkleseizure, the others are definitely wrong by all accounts. The language they are using, as well as the "truth" they are describing by use of that language, do not align with the (what I hesitate to call) the "real" truth of the Great Green Arkleseizure's sneeze.

So while you're right- relative truths can change- the underlying truth behind these relative truths remains constant.

And that's the truth.

Answer 2

For every question there is one perfect answer and million answers with varying possibilities. You math is arguement is flawed.

The concept of different number sets is an artificial idea used to understand. Humans can not perceive numbers as they truly so we have to invent complex rules to describe them in various stages.

Many people may perceive one thing is true, but that is just a lie being commonly accepted.

As simple beings we lack the ability to analyze everything from every angel and consider it's ramifications in the present and future; if every person had all the knowledge of the universe and wasn't governed by chemicals and hormones everyone would agree on everything.

Answer 3

No, truth is absolute.

You can change the meaning of words, or the number base, but what we mean by the number 2 will always equal 4 when added to itself.

Changing the meaning of the terms doesn't change the truth. It changes the language, or the numerical base. The truth stays the same.

Answer 4

If I answer that absolutely, truth is relative I disprove my own answer. I put forth the theory that there may be truth that can't be translated into words or numbers that can be postulated by our puny brains. We may still be able to know but it cannot be spoken. Meditate a bit and see what you think. I understand if you are not able to say.

Your question, if fully explored by us, is a marvelous one. It seems like it would be obvious that what is usually perceived as truth is completely relative to the position of the observer. We feel it very unlucky to be eaten by a tiger, but for the tiger, it is lucky indeed to have a full stomach and to able to live another day.

Answer 5

What have you left for us to say? You asked and answered the question!

To me there is absolute truth; that is Allah and very few other ones. The rest is relative.

Peace

Answer 6

Facts are absolute, truth is negotiable.

Ask any politician, clergyman or used-car salesman.

That super smart but very short California politician, Willie Brown when caught on camera in a lie he could not deny said "I admit I am in a difficult factual situation."

The not so smart and not quite as short Calif, politician, Da Schwartz, just says "I zometime haf difficuklties mit da Engalis language..."

Answer 7

Is your example given here absolutely true?

If so, then truth must be absolute.