What is true?

 What is true?

August 12, 2022

In times like this, the question is often raised: "what is true?" and the only way to answer this is to instead begin at a different point with a different question, namely, "what exists from the perspective of truth?"  The existence of truth can be discerned from its cares and effects, and its concerns can only really be known by looking upon its works.  This conclusion stands to reason unlike metaphorical assumptions of where truth would desire to be; investigation trumps wishful thinking. 

It cannot be denied that truth is publically elusive.  To paraphrase a quote from Sinclair Lewis's novel about early modern science, Truth may appear to be an elusive and beautiful creature to be pursued through the obstacles of life, but it is actually a skeptical attitude toward life.  (Arrowsmith, 1925).  Extending to this idea the assumption of relevance, due to its common sense and beautiful phrasing, the precise point of departure for this investigation should be some variation of the question "what concepts are essential to human life?"  The answer to this should give some indication as to our original question, which can be addressed by illuminating that which exists from the perspective of truth.  What we are looking for, is not what truth is, but where it can be found, because only then could the investigation of what truth is begin, and only then could anyone even think to try to describe what is true. 

Common sense says not to over-complicate the answer to "what is true?" but that applies more exactly to looking for the cares and effects that truth has in the world.  The fundamental concept that involves Truth in the world is Time.  The overarching and inescapable social paradigm for man, or woman, is the nation, or the state, and therefore, the largest and most fundamental concepts, on the personal and social-political schematics, combine into the essential in the concepts of War, and Peace. "What is true?" therefore does depend on the weight that the time-condition of our social organization gives to certain concerns.  Action does indicate the priorities that exist from the perspective of Truth, and this construction of organization and ideas does change dependent on the material and social conditions that exist at the time. 

Lest it appear that this could mean that the scope of things that could be true at any one time are so vast as to suggest that truth is meaningless, consider that this frustration of the scientific mind can be easily assuaged by the question "what is not true?" and the assurance that there are things that are not true.  This should be apparent to those who do not overthink.  However the Truth most certainly does overthink. 

The cares and effects that Truth has in the world are all of those related to War, and Peace.  The material and social conditions of every citizen of a nation, every resident of a nation-state, change depending on whether the social structure and mental cares of that place are in a state of War, or Peace; those things and places where the material and social conditions of life change, even the barely perceptible ones, are where the truth can be found. 

The answer to the question "what is true?" isn't answered by this, at least not yet and not directly, but that question can't be answered without locating the position of the answer relative to its social and material conditions.  It would be foolish to answer that question with an example that is true, or with a direct statement that grinds the gears to a halt.  But the answer can be found in this paradigm of War, and Peace. 

War, and Peace are a creative, destructive cycle.  And the outputs of these mentalities are varied.  But the truth of the matter is not about maintaining a balance of whatever combination you prefer.  One can't exist without the other.  The truth of the matter is in maintaining the tension between War, and Peace.  To advance the plot, if you will. 

(Pilot G2 1.0mm on white paper, humanist script)