A Simple Definition of Truth ?

Question

I just saw a question where a whole bunch of people said that neither they nor anybody else was qualified to define Truth. So let this poor atheist take a stab at it:

"Truth is what is real irregardless of who or how many people believe in it."

What do you think? Any better definitions?

Spiker - I agree. Jesus could be Truth. So could Allah, Krishna and Apollo.

Brother Andrew - but just because he said it - or just because somebody said that he said it - is that Truth?

Maurice - Good answer. So I say X is true and someone else says Y is true. If they can't both be true then one of us is wrong. Just saying it doesn't mean anything.

Answer 1

No, that's a pretty solid definition.

As a Christian, i like the brand of atheists who acknowledge that there is a Truth, and our only disagreement is on what the Truth is.

Of course, whether or not the Truth MATTERS depends on what that Truth is. If the Truth is that there's a God, it definitely matters. But if the Truth is that there is no God, then that Truth doesn't matter because nothing enforces it, and hence we are free to come up with our own truth and spout it everywhere. Which is why every time i want to even talk to many atheists, they just don't make any sense at all, and i can't even have a brief talk. We can't communicate because their reality is so fractured and self-based, that they end up sounding like wiccans: "Everyone discovers their own truth, all truths are equal, but your truth is wrong!" Huh?

I also like "Truth" atheists because in many respects they are more Christian than some Christians. You accept that there is a Truth! What a profound and moving notion. Over half of society will demonize you now.

But at least this basic acknowledgement makes half of the argument between Christianity & Atheism disappear. Do you realize what you're doing? You could actually start a...a...a...a real honest discussion! :O

Answer 2

Truth or absolute truth doesn't have anything to do with what people think. Truth is the Word of God which is Jesus Christ { the Living Word}. Jesus said in the gospel of John 14:6..." I am the way, the TRUTH and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me". Jesus is the truth. I can also offer you proof--- open the bible to the gospel of John and before you begin to read ask this God that you don't believe in if He is really real---- if you are sincere He WILL show you.

Answer 3

I agree with your statement. Truth has to be absolute and unchanging or it is not truth. We have billions of opinions and thousands of philosophies, but truth has to stand unchanged, no matter what people say or think.
The question is, "will we SUBMIT TO THE TRUTH" or prefer to live by our own opinions and feelings, because THEY don't shake us out of our comfort zone--like Truth would?
Jesus said, "I am the Truth" (John 14:6), and in John 17:17 He says that "God's Word is the Truth".
Truth also should give us LIGHT and clarity. But since truth also hurts and cuts to the core, most people shrink from being confronted with the truth.
Jesus said, ""I am the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

I am not surprised that we have these vehement arguments on this board, because it really is a confrontation between TRUTH AND LIGHT versus lies and darkness.
Jesus said, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. EVERYONE WHO DOES EVIL HATES THE LIGHT, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
But WHOEVER LIVES BY THE TRUTH COMES INTO THE LIGHT, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:19-21

Answer 4

truth /truθ/
–noun, plural truths /truðz, truθs/

1. the true or actual state of a matter: He tried to find out the truth.
2. conformity with fact or reality; verity: the truth of a statement.
3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: mathematical truths.
4. the state or character of being true.
5. actuality or actual existence.
6. an obvious or accepted fact; truism; platitude.
7. honesty; integrity; truthfulness.
8. (often initial capital letter) ideal or fundamental reality apart from and transcending perceived experience: the basic truths of life.
9. agreement with a standard or original.
10. accuracy, as of position or adjustment.
11. Archaic. fidelity or constancy.
—Idiom12. in truth, in reality; in fact; actually: In truth, moral decay hastened the decline of the Roman Empire.

Answer 5

Yeah, I agree with that. We can define the word "truth"... but it may be a bit more difficult to:

(1) figure out what is true
(2) communicate it effectively
(3) prove it's true to the doubters

Answer 6

I had never given this a thought, but the first thing that came to my mind is the word FACT. That's what the truth's all about: the facts of life. If you don't know how to prove it, How can you tell it's true or not?

Answer 7

A truth is objective.

An opinion or feeling is subjective.

There is no such thing as an absolute truth, there is only truth. If you say something is a truth as you know it - then it really isn't a truth. It may be faith or a feeling but it isn't truth.

Answer 8

Here's what Answers.com says "Truth" is.... Conformity to fact or actuality.
A statement proven to be or accepted as true.
Sincerity; integrity.
Fidelity to an original or standard.

Reality; actuality.
often Truth That which is considered to be the supreme reality and to have the ultimate meaning and value of existence.

Answer 9

As good a definition as any. Better than some. But it doesn't get you any closer to a definition. You've merely switched the emphasis from Truth, to 'real'.

Answer 10

I believe that there are very few things in this world where there is such a thing as absolute truth. Most truths are subjective and relative.